In 2009 Steve Andrews rode his motorbike around Australia to raise awareness for depression. This illness will affect 1 in 5 Australians, and currently affects 1 million adults and an estimated 100 000 young people.
A good friend of mine Tony, as well as 2 other colleagues, Raz and Andrew, have joined what has become this year’s annual event, the Black Dog Ride. They will be riding 6000 kms to the Red Centre of Australia and back on motorbikes raising awareness and funding. You can support Tony at http://tonyblackdogride.posterous.com
Personal
I guess when you have a family of 6, that has moved countries, experienced divorce, illness, and death, the odds are at least one family member will experience depression.
Our story started way earlier than 2003, but that’s when Em, now 20, was diagnosed in a cataclysmic experience. We’ve journeyed as a family for the last 7 years and to support Tony in his ride, I put together a video chronicling some of that experience.
Note, the video is short at only 4 mins 30, this is because I’ve entered it into the inaugural Mobile Screenfest Competition, which has a maximum length guideline. I will be editing a longer version sometime this week.
Here’s “Discussing Depression”
In this transparent and vulnerable video, a young 20 year old, Em and her dad, me, share their 7 year journey with depression.
All to support Tony Hollingsworth as he rides to raise awareness for depression in the Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre in Sep 2010.
Every aspect of the movie was shot on the Apple iPhone4 in 720p HD
If the movie spoke to you, and want to raise publicity for Tony, please do head over and vote for the video 
It’s not up on the site yet (I’ll update this post when it is) but you’ll need to select the “Best Phone Journalism” category, then rate the video.
And You…
If you’re experiencing depression, or one of your family members are, feel free to contact me for a chat. Teen depression especially doesn’t exhibit like adult depression. I know this very well. There’s certainly no reason to feel a failure as a parent, anymore than if your child had broken their leg, or contracted pneumonia. Again, I know that knowing this does not change how you feel as a parent.
Talk about it.
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Roger and Em,
This blog post said one word to me – “brave”. Thanks you both for speaking out and supporting Tony. You are heroes for generating awareness as you have.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Cheers, Iggy
Thanks Iggy,
Speaking and supporting is exactly what we need. Just last night I was in a position to listen to my gym instructor share her story. We all just need someone to listen, truly listen, without judgement. So hard.
I also want to shout out the support you’re giving Tony and the cause too. All those books, I truly hope that he raised a bucketload last night.
Thanks my friend.
Wow, excellent vid. Thanks for opening up and talking about a difficult subject.
Thanks Kean,
The longer version, coming soon, tells more of the uplift over the last 7 years. But you know Em, and I’m pretty humbled by her strength and commitment to awareness around depression.
Roger
Thanks for sharing this personal story. It is going to help many people and I will work hard to raise awareness for everyone. Look forward to seeing and sharing the “longer version” too. I agree, Iggy’s support has been phenomenal too, and we did indeed raise a “bucketload” on Monday night – approximately $5000 which I will use to fund my journey with all proceeds going to my Black Dog Ride Fundraising Page at http://www.fundraising.exerciseyourmood.org.au/tonyhollingsworth
Best to you,
Tony