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Personal stories
Our community education programs are presented by people who have firsthand experience of the impact of mental illness and the stigma that can surround it.
These personal stories provide insight into how our volunteers felt after being diagnosed, the different ways they stay well and manage their mental illness, and their experiences talking to communities about mental health.
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Lived experience volunteers
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Gisela, 25
'Something started to feel like it wasn’t right but I didn’t get help straight away because I felt the weight of the stigma.'
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Jacqui, 50
‘I didn't understand what was going on. I didn’t realise I had gone beyond a normal level of sadness.’
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Dale, 37
'Footy was something I’d grown up with and was passionate about. So when I decided to quit out of the blue I started to think ‘this is not me.''
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Scott, 52
'I have a really social and outgoing nature, so when I first spoke to my GP about my depression and anxiety, the doctor was shocked.'
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Craig, 47
“One of the things I loved most about being a member of the Police Force was that I was a member of a really big, close knit family. I have that again now with Black Dog Institute. It’s a great community with a great purpose."
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