Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



John - Interview 34

John was diagnosed with depression 2008 when he was under immense work stress. He is taking antidepressant medication and undergoing counseling. Since his experience with depression he has changed careers and changed his perspective on life.

  • Background

    John is married with three children. He works part-time as an education officer. Ethnic background’ Australian-Chinese.

  • Age at interview 40
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Jules - Interview 24

    Jules has experienced depression and social anxiety for many years. She has voluntarily spent time in mental health units over the past 2-3 years. She is seeing a psychiatrist, taking antidepressant medication and receives psychotherapy.

  • Background

    Jules lives alone and is widowed with two adult daughters and five grandchildren. She is currently completing a PhD. Ethnic background’ Anglo Australian.

  • Age at interview 61
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Kim Hai - Interview 25

    Kim Hai first experienced depression while studying overseas as a young woman, partly due to her experience as a refugee from Vietnam. She has experienced depression at different stages of her life and has found counselling more effective than medication.

  • Background

    Kim Hai works part-time and is married with one son. She came to Australia as a refugee. Ethnic background’ Vietnamese.

  • Age at interview 59
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Akello - Interview 26

    Akello described suffering emotional distress after giving birth to her children in Uganda. She later realised that this could be described as 'postnatal depression'. She was diagnosed with depression in Australia in 2010 when she was put on antidepressant medication by her GP and referred to a psychologist as part of a mental health plan. Medication and counseling have been helpful and Akello now feels she is on the path to recovery.

  • Background

    Akello migrated to Australia in 2005. She is married with three school-aged children and works part time as a community worker and in office administration. Ethnic background’ Ugandan.

  • Age at interview 45
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Amelia - Interview 27

    Amelia is married with two sons. She was diagnosed with depression in 1998, although she had experienced it at various times throughout her life. She believes her depression is linked to her hormones. She currently takes antidepressants and uses work, cooking and gardening to distract her, and lives with her husband and one of her children.

  • Background

    Amelia is an academic who is married with two adult children. Ethnic background’ Australian.

  • Age at interview 51
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Sara - Interview 28

    Sara has experienced episodes of depression from adolescence. The death of her father and sister from a degenerative disease has profoundly impacted her life, and she currently takes antidepressant medication and sees a psychiatrist.

  • Background

    Sara is a part-time counsellor. She is single and does not have children. Ethnic background’ Australian.

  • Age at interview 55
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Comodor - Interview 29

    Comodor was diagnosed with depression in hospital after treatment for cancer. This came as a surprise to him. He is not currently taking antidepressant medication or undergoing counselling.

  • Background

    Comodor is retired. He is married with two adult children. Ethnic background’ Anglo Australian.

  • Age at interview 77
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Artaud - Interview 30

    Artaud has been diagnosed with a few different mental health conditions, including depression. When he was younger he was hospitalised. He attributes the impact of correct treatment and support he has from work and his partner to his ability to maintain his career as a social worker.

  • Background

    Artaud is a social worker and is divorced from his first wife. He is now engaged to be married to his fianc’. He has two children from his first marriage....

  • Age at interview 43
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Linda - Interview 32

    Linda was diagnosed when she was 19. She is currently taking medication, and has benefited from counseling She had a happy childhood and supportive family. She has found exercise, walks on the beach near her house, surrounding herself with friends and family, and returning to her home city very helpful.

  • Background

    Linda works full-time as a financial planner and is in a relationship. Ethnic background’ Australian-Italian.

  • Age at interview 26
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Gabrielle - Interview 33

    Gabrielle has experienced depression and anxiety for twenty years after experiencing postnatal depression. She has been hospitalised a number of times. She is currently taking antidepressant medication and seeing a psychologist and a psychiatrist. Gabrielle has used her own experience to help a local post-natal support group for new mothers and to help her interact with her patients in her nursing work.

  • Background

    Gabrielle works as a registered nurse. She is married with one daughter. Ethnic background’ Anglo-Australian.

  • Age at interview 42
  • Sex/Gender Female