Getting help
Firsthand experiences
Online educational program

Melancholic depression
Graeme's story
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Psychotic depression
Shirley's story
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Non-melancholic depression
Liz's story
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Do you think you may have depression?
Do you think you may be depressed? Try our depression self-test

Try our depression self-test

Personal accounts

Many people successfully live with mood disorders. It can be a great inspiration to others to know this - and also for them to learn what approaches and strategies other people have used to overcome or live with their illness. Here, people who live with either depression or Bipolar Disorder share their story.

If you'd like to help others by sharing your story on living with either depression or Bipolar Disorder, please get in contact with us.

Artworks

Books

(All available for loan through the Consumer Resource Centre)

  • 'Journeys with the Black Dog ' (Tessa Wigney, Kerrie Eyers, and Gordon Parker) People share their stories on depression, including first symptoms, diagnosis and the many ways of taking control. Highly recommended.
    Read the reviews [PDF, KB]
  • 'Evening at Murunna Point' (by Ian McFarlane) - a collection of beautifully written stories, essays and poems on depression, by a writer with first-hand experience of the illness. (The book is available for loan through the 's lending library).
  • 'The Bi-Polar Express' (by Ela Simon and Natasha Simon). Ride the life and death roller-coaster of mania and depression with mother and daughter. Visit the website

Songs

  • 'Black Dog' (5 min 56 sec)- by Mick Wilson [N.B. This presentation is best viewed using a broadband internet connection. If you use a dial-up connection you will experience substantial delays while the presentation loads.]
    Visit Mick's website

Stories

Poetry

Feature articles

Websites

  • 'The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive' - Stephen Fry's two-part documentary on Bipolar Disorder was shown as part of Comic Relief's campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues . The BBC's website has dedicated a section to the topic.
  • DIPEx.org - the DIPEx website (UK) is devoted to personal experiences of health and illness. There is a comprehensive section on depression where you can watch, listen to or read other people's stories.
  • Bipolar Poetry - this site is for anyone who would like to gain insight into the emotional world of the Bipolar poet.
  • The Polar Lounge - a beautiful and creative website for those living with Bipolar Disorder and depression.
  • Suicide Awareness - The World Stars page of this website contains inspiring quotes from artists from around the world.
  • The Blue Hat project - this project was conceived by Waltraud Reiner, a milliner with personal experience of depression and a wish to use the creativity behind hat design as a means of raising awareness of depression and anxiety in the community.
  • The Lone Walk- the concept of this project is to walk from Coffs Harbor to Wagga Wagga to raise awareness of people who suffer from many forms of depression and the isolation they suffer with the constant difficulty in obtaining good support.
  • paulpizzolo.org - This site was developed on behalf of Joseph Pizzolo so as to enable him to share his son Pauls' poetry, reach out to others and to promote awareness about the issues of suicide & Bipolar Disorder.



Carers Book Project - Have you supported someone with depression?

Graeme Cowan is undertaking research for his second book “BACK FROM THE BRINK TOO: Supporting your loved one in overcoming depression” which will be launched in June 2008. He has already completed 300 interviews of those living with depression on how they would best like to be supported and would now like to interview their significant others to understand their needs. The survey consists of 15 mainly multiple choice questions and should only take about 5 minutes to complete. If you have any questions or difficulty accessing the survey please email Graeme@IamBackFromTheBrink.com
Click here to do the survey

Graeme is also putting together an ebook, "Best Practice in Managing Mental Health in the Workplace".
Find out more


The Recovery Story Project

The success of recovery from mental conditions often goes unnoticed by the broader population. The Recovery Story Project provides an opportunity for people from cultures and communities to share their recovery stories.  By sharing your stories, you are contributing to the success of others who might be in the process of recovering.
The Transcultural Mental Health Centre is looking for recovery stories from mental health survivors and carers.
They are looking for volunteers to share their stories.

  • Do you have a recovery story to share?
  • Are you from a migrant or bicultural background?
  • Have you recovered from any form of mental health issue?
  • Your recovery has taken place for at least 6 months?
  • Are you willing to participate in this interesting project - in a confidential environment?

Read the flyer [Flashpaper]

 

Depression Book Project

Would you like to contribute some of your own tips for getting through depression?
Esther Quilliam is writing a book regarding depression in order to bring people who are struggling with depression some hope through practical help. The book will contain short anecdotes and practical tips on things that help get you through depression on a day to day basis. These 'tips' are from people who have suffered / are suffering depression, or know of someone close to them who is. The tips are not expert advice - exercise, support groups, medication etc, but rather the little things that you find can help you cope day by day - getting changed out of your pjs, brushing your hair, listening to music that uplifts you, writing a journal, having a cuppa outside in the fresh air, dancing etc. So, if you have a tip or anecdote that has helped you through depression on a daily basis, Esther would love to hear from you.

Read Esther's letter [PDF, 574KB]
Email your tips to esther@creativeonline.com.au