Taming the black dog

Today marks one year since Western Australia’s former state premier, Dr Geoff Gallop, stepped down from office due to depression.

Part of the statement he made at the time said, “It is my difficult duty to inform you today that I am currently being treated for depression. Living with depression is a very debilitating experience, which affects different people in different ways. It has certainly affected many aspects of my life. So much so, that I sought expert help last week.

My doctors advised me that with treatment, time and rest this illness is very curable. However, I cannot be certain how long I will need. So in the interests of my health and my family, I have to rethink my career.

My commitment to politics has always been 100 per cent plus. I now need that time to restore my health and well-being. Therefore I am announcing today my intention to resign as Premier of Western Australia and the member for Victoria Park in the state parliament.”

His honesty and courage in speaking openly about depression has helped many people seek help for this often crippling problem. Before people start to seek a solution to any kind of mental health issues they need to know that it’s safe to do so. Dr Gallop’s courage gave courage to many others.

One group that has been helping people towards better mental health for many years is GROW.

“GROW’s primary aim is to help fellow sufferers of mental illness or emotional distress recover their mental health and wellbeing through self-activation and friendly mutual help.

Many people who experience depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses, loss, abuse, relationship difficulties or various other misfortunes, often endure their problems with great courage, but do not have the support or knowledge which will enable them to overcome these problems. GROW has found a way based on the lived experience of thousands of individuals who have had a mental illness and have recovered.”

David Tehr is a representative for GROW and I spoke to him this morning as part of my radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM.

The good news is that there is a way forward for those suffering depression and other mental health issues.

If you’d like to listen to our conversation now you can use the media player below.



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About the author

Rodney Olsen

Rodney is a husband, father, cyclist, blogger and podcaster from Perth Western Australia.

He previously worked in radio for about 25 years but these days he spends his time at Compassion Australia, working towards releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name.

The views he expresses here are his own.

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4 Comments

  • Hmmm, thank you for this post Rodney, I had not heard of GROW before.
    I too suffer from depression and anxiety and am currently undergoing psychiatric care. I can attest to the huge impact this condition has on one’s life. It has taken me to the point of a marriage breakdown, which obviously is not helping with my condition. What it has done however is bring out of the woodwork an amazing number of friends and contacts who are helping me through this situation.

  • I applaud Dr. Gallop’s courage and honesty. Maybe it will encourage others to seek help. I have struggled with depression and anxiety all my life, and have only now at the age of 34 accepted the fact that I need to rely on medication to survive. These conditions have been so badly maligned in society (and in particular in Christian society, at least the one I was raised in) that it causes people to sweep it under the rug instead of getting the help they need. Kudos to you for posting on it.

  • You have some great posts here, I really need to catch up!

    I also suffer from depression and there are days when I have to force myself to live because thoughts of not living overtake me. It’s really horrible. Luckily meds have helped a lot.

    I commend Dr. Gallop for his honesty and shedding some light on a subject that so many people misunderstand. It’s not a choice, it’s not an negative attitude or any other such thing – its a medical problem. Why would anyone choose to suffer endlessly?

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