One in six women will get depression in their lifetime, compared with one in ten men. So, is it hormones or circumstances or a combination of both that's makes us more susceptible? And importantly, how can we confront the black dog if it's at our door?

In part one of this three-part series, Yumi Stynes sits down with women who've been in the grips of depression to understand how they overcame it. She also lays out the essential ingredients for good mental health.

Featured in this episode:

• Professor Bronwyn Graham, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist

If you need someone to talk to, call:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14 
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 
• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 
• Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 
• Headspace on 1800 650 890 
• QLife on 1800 184 527 

What to listen to next:

Loneliness — you're not alone

The price of perfectionism

How to give zero f*cks 

Perimenopause: lifting the brain fog

You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. 

What to read next: 

How Turia Pitt's body image changed in motherhood

The dark side of being a perfectionist

Why genital herpes does not mean the end of your sex life

What happens to your sex life during perimenopause?

This mini-series will answer questions like: 

• How do women experience mental health conditions differently to men? 
• What does depression feel like? 
• Is depression the same as feeling sad? 
• What is the role of hormones in women’s depression? 
• How does sleep impact depression? 
• What can exercise and diet do for depression? 
• What are effective treatments for depression? 
• What is Electroconvulsive Therapy? 

This episode contains references to mental health, depression, melancholic depression, suicide, antidepressants, SSRIs, medication, hospital, parenting, motherhood, relationships, family, wellness, health, exercise, hormones, stress, sleep, CBT, psychiatric facility, electroconvulsive therapy, ECT.