Not Alone

Milli had always wanted to live and work overseas. But when she finally made it over to London, she found herself unemployed and homesick. Struggling with the pressure to get a job and ‘live the dream’ she started experiencing panic attacks.  She had no idea what was happening. She thought she was having a medical emergency. It wasn’t until she found a website about anxiety that things started to click into place.  With the right support, time and patience, Milli was soon able to enjoy her time in London. When she moved to Melbourne, she was worried about it happening again. This time round however, she knew what she needed to do to look after herself and stay well.  Hear Milli talk about what her panic attacks felt like and the steps she took to manage them.  This episode of Not Alone was produced by Audrey Hughes and narrated by Thomas Milana. Sound design by Jan Wong. Our theme song is Friends with Feelings, written and performed by Alice Skye, and produced by CAAMA music.   You can access resources related to this episode, including support information at bb.org.au/panic-attacks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a kid, Nicole was loud, bubbly and dancing. It was her dream to be a professional dancer. And one she worked towards every day.  When she was a teenager, Nicole went through a traumatic experience and dancing became her way to cope. To express herself. To help her manage these emotions she was struggling to control.  After suffering an injury, Nicole struggled to deal with the impact of losing her dream and greatest outlet. Seeing a GP and sharing what she was going through with her friends and family made all the difference.  Hear Nicole talk about how letting go – and letting people in – can help us heal.    This episode of Not Alone was produced by Audrey Hughes and narrated by Margot Moore. Sound design by Jan Wong. Our theme song is Friends with Feelings, written and performed by Alice Skye, and produced by CAAMA music.   You can access resources related to this episode, including support information at bb.org.au/healing-from-traumaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catriona Bisset is an Olympian and the fastest Australian woman to ever run the 800m. But for a decade, she left the sport she loved. Anxiety became a constant companion and centred on one thing she couldn’t outrun – her body.    Through therapy, she is learning to accept anxiety and depression as part of who she is. And to replace fear with self-compassion. This episode of Not Alone was produced by Darcy Sutton and Nick Budicin, and narrated by Tom Russell. Sound design by Jan Wong. Our theme song is Friends with Feelings, written and performed by Alice Skye, and produced by CAAMA music. You can access resources related to this episode, including support information at bb.org.au/friends-with-anxietySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Geoff, mental health was something briefly touched on in medical school as something to be aware of in patients. Not himself. Doctors don't get sick. So when the stresses of work started to catch up with him, Geoff didn't know what to do. And it was a long time before he sought help.  Hear Geoff reflect on his experiences at medical school and in the field, how he manages his mental health today, and his dreams for the medical industry.  This episode of Not Alone was produced by Darcy Sutton and narrated by Margot Moore. Sound design by Jan Wong. Our theme song is Friends with Feelings, written and performed by Alice Skye, and produced by CAAMA music.  You can access resources related to this episode, including support information at bb.org.au/depression-at-workSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 20, Sandi lost her brother to suicide. In 2018, her long-term marriage broke down, and she found herself living alone. Slowly, Sandi’s friendships began to deteriorate, and she was eventually hospitalised with major depression. Moving into a retirement village at a relatively early age, Sandi realised how important spending time with others was for her mental health and wellbeing. Sandi’s story is about overcoming grief and understanding the power of connection with others. This episode of Not Alone was produced by Nick Budicin and narrated by Thomas Russell. Sound design by Jan Wong. Our theme song is Friends with Feelings, written and performed by Alice Skye, and produced by CAAMA music. You can access resources related to this episode, including support information at bb.org.au/overcoming-grief.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up, Sean loved his life. He was surrounded by his brothers, and they spent all their time playing sport. He didn't want anything to ruin it. And being gay - well, he didn't know how that would go down.  Ignoring that part of himself led to the creation of Sean’s alter ego, Hank. Appearing whenever Sean drank alcohol, Hank was loud, obnoxious and always getting into trouble. Something that Sean wasn’t and didn’t want to be. But if getting drunk meant he didn’t have to pick up a girl, then he’d rather be Hank.  Over time, Sean began to isolate himself and his mental health deteriorated. Finding someone to talk to, someone who shared and understood Sean’s struggles, turned everything around.    This episode of Not Alone was produced by Audrey Hughes and narrated by Margot Moore. Sound design by Jan Wong. Our theme song is Friends with Feelings, written and performed by Alice Skye, and produced by CAAMA music.  You can access resources related to this episode, including support information at bb.org.au/self-denialSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guilt and shame defined Jake’s life for over a decade. He couldn’t see past his own self-loathing.   When he asked for help, everything changed. And while talking was hard, it was nothing compared to the anguish and loneliness of silence.   This is a story about recovery and turning down the volume on the negative voice in your head. This episode of Not Alone was produced by Sarah Alexander and Darcy Sutton, and was narrated by Thomas Russell. Sound design by Jan Wong. Our theme song is Friends with Feelings, written and performed by Alice Skye, and produced by CAAMA music. You can access resources related to this episode, including support information at: bb.org.au/ManagingDepression See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily’s childhood was defined by pressure. Pressure to get the perfect grade, to fit in, to excel. Their impossible standards left them feeling like a failure. All the time.  This episode is about the constant battle between anxiety and depression and how recovery looks different for everyone.   Emily’s recovery started when they found an online forum community that showed them, they weren’t alone. It’s a story that shows recovery looks different for everyone. No matter how dark life gets.    This episode of Not Alone was produced by Audrey Hughes and narrated by Thomas Russell. Sound design by Jan Wong. Our theme song is Friends with Feelings, written and performed by Alice Skye, and produced by CAAMA music.  You can access resources related to this episode, including support information at bb.org.au/anxiety-vs-depression See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Living out his dream in the AFL, Liam Stocker thought mental health wasn’t something he had to worry about.   His anxiety had other ideas. Panic attacks became a regular occurrence, although Liam always felt he had to hide them.  This latest episode of Not Alone is about accepting help, however scary it may be.   This episode of Not Alone was produced by Darcy Sutton and narrated by Margot Moore. Sound design by Jan Wong. Our theme song is Friends with Feelings, written and performed by Alice Skye, and produced by CAAMA music. You can access resources related to this episode, including support information at: bit.ly/AnxietyAndMyAFLCareer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From an early age, much of Amy’s life has been consumed by anxiety, especially in social situations.  Dating was especially difficult.  Nerves around dating are something almost everyone can relate to. But for Amy, it was overwhelming dread. And for many years, it stopped her from even trying to form a relationship.  Now in her 30s, Amy reflects on her early dating experiences.  This episode of Not Alone was produced by Audrey Hughes and narrated by Margot Moore. Sound design by Jan Wong. Our theme song is Friends with Feelings, written and performed by Alice Skye, and produced by CAAMA music. You can access resources related to this episode, including support information at bb.org.au/dating-anxiety See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.