Anyone who’s lived with constant severe pain, knows how bleak life can look as a result. Jaw surgery and a back injury left Dave Peters in agony while a series of psychological traumas sent him spiraling into depression. However, Dave found meaning in life after using his experiences to help others who were also struggling through depression. And he found connection through hugs, horror movies and a very sociable dog!

As a young girl, Jaz loved playing soccer and riding her BMX bike. When she hit puberty, her love of life deserted her. She’d spend hours standing in front of the mirror, arms straight by her sides wishing she could always hide her curves. For the next 20 years she tried to destroy herself, the thought of being able to end her pain through suicide her only comfort. She wanted to transition but worried about acceptance. Today, Jaz is 37 and three years into his transition. He hasn’t had s...

At 23, artist Amanda Johnson had life all mapped out. She was married, owned her own ceramic shop and was teaching 200 students a week, firing her three kilns seven days a week and employing seven other staff. She was a successful businesswoman and artist.She approached having children with the same confident expectation of success but instead, fell into a quagmire of self doubt and depression. She couldn’t even paint any more. She had a supportive husband and parents and healthy children but...

Everyone knows that rural depression is an issue. But few have considered the issues that cause it.Farmer Brendan Cullen reached such a dark place he regularly sat in his car shouting at himself or on his bed sobbing.Today, it’s hard to believe the cheerful sheep station manager from Broken Hill found himself in such pain until he lists the many factors that caused it - isolation, being on duty 24/7, feeling reluctant to ask for help during drought, dealing with so much animal death he ...