Stories

Draw strength and hope from the stories of other people

Buck

Buck

Buck got back to the gym to help cope with the loneliness and grieving he felt after becoming separated from his kids.  Eight years on, he’s still training, and with the support of others he’s been able to overcome his depression.

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Jamie

Jamie

When Jamie started to kōrero with others after losing both his eyesight and his vision for Māori, he found strength. Eye surgery and support from whānau and friends allowed him to carry on his mission, and overcome his depression.

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Michelle

Michelle

After overcoming others' views about her gender identity, Michelle then had to get through depression and the trauma of transitioning. She completed her recovery by helping others with theirs.

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Damian

Damian

Damian reconnected with family and improved his physical health, after studying took over his life. He was then able to overcome anxiety, depression and bulimia.

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Gabby

Gabby

Gabby manages her Autism, by having structure in her daily life. When Gabby experienced depression, she reached out for help and now supports others do the same.

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Debra

Debra

Debra started to care for herself, as well as others. After becoming a young mother, Debra was always looking after other people before herself. She got through her depression with the help of medication.

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Hannah

Hannah

Hannah felt like she didn’t belong, until medication and therapy helped her reconnect with people and rediscover her sense of joy. Depression and anxiety had turned Hannah’s life grey.

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Donna

Donna

With the support of whānau, and strategies from her doctor, Donna learned to deal with the grief and trauma of her first child’s delivery. Post-natal depression had got in the way of her caring for her baby.

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Emma

Emma

Mindfulness, medication and her husband’s support helped Emma overcome people’s negative perceptions of her health problem. Anxiety had led to an eating disorder and depression. 

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Philip

Philip

Asking for help after being continuously bullied by a neighbour, started Philip on the road to recovery by addressing the anxiety that had been building up since childhood. 

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Vesna

Vesna

Vesna took up Waka Ama where her hearing disability wasn’t an issue. She went on to beat depression and win elite level sporting titles.

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Ngaro

Ngaro

Accepting support from whānau helped Ngaro after his marriage left him grieving the loss of his kids and home. After getting through his depression with support from friends and his psychologist, he learned how to help others.

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Vito

Vito

Vito learned to give his mind a break through music. After discovering that he wasn’t the only person feeling out of control and isolated from his culture, he was able open up, talk about his depression, and find ways through.

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Hamish

Hamish

When Hamish learnt to shut off other people’s expectations about the farm and think of other things his wellbeing returned. He had been pushing himself to work round the clock and experienced anxiety.

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Gillian

Gillian

By accepting support from her family and attending group therapy Gillian realised she wasn’t alone after the Christchurch earthquakes. A traumatic childhood had set the background for the depression and anxiety which was triggered by the ‘quakes.  

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