Holding on to Hope

By any standards, Leilani Darwin’s childhood was difficult – she dealt with violence, alcoholism, neglect and worse. Yet with fierce strength, empathy, respect and intelligence she has turned her experience into a force to dramatically reduce youth suicide statistics and help develop ground breaking Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide prevention programs. The joy she gets from her work h...

Welcome to Lifeline’s Holding onto Hope, a podcast in which people who have attempted suicide share their storyJoe Williams is a proud Wiradjuri man. Here he describes his struggles with self -doubt and how he’s since connected with his culture to reduce the frightening suicide statistics amongst his people.

Welcome to Lifeline’s Holding onto Hope, a podcast in which people who have attempted suicide share their story. For years, Tanya has struggled with anorexia, the mental disorder that takes the lives of more young women than any other. Today, with her friends first Ali and then Megan, she explains why their empathy, kindness and compassion has been so important to her survival

When Pete Wilson had to give up his passion for endurance running due to a heart issue he was devastated. His depression was compounded by the loss of his parents within eight months of each other, debt and marriage issues. Eventually he decided there was only one way to end his pain. He was literally saved from stepping over the brink by workmate Jess who had witnessed friends taking their lives...

When we visit a fine dining establishment, it’s all calm and quiet courtesy but anyone who has watched Gordon Ramsey in action will know that, in the kitchen it can be anything but calm and quiet. Mal Meirs has worked in some of the best restaurants in the world but the pressure, the horrendous hours, the chaos and the physical pain of horrific injuries often caused by exhaustion and stress brough...

We’ve all seen the stories of women who are the victims of domestic violence but we rarely hear the voices of the children who are impacted. Growing up, Cameron not only suffered the loneliness of trying to make sense of his parents’ violent relationship but also the after effects of a devious sexual abuse at the hands of a stranger. His is a story of survival, revived faith in humanity and a pass...

At 25, soldier Ben Farinazzo was sent to East Timor as assistant to the forces commander. It was 1999 and the country had just voted for independence. Being fluent in Indonesian, Ben formed a deep bond with the locals and saw the best and worst of humanity there. He helped deliver a baby – subsequently named after him – but also witnessed the terrible Suai Church Massacre. Although he returned to...

Graeme Holdsworth was a hugely successful project manager, responsible for building some of Australia’s most iconic buildings from Melbourne’s Crown to Sydney’s 1 Martin Place. He was renowned for his building and management skills. However, just as some people start gaining weight, he realized his behaviours were starting to change. He yelled at everyone from staff to a client and ended up unempl...

Anyone who’s lived with constant severe pain, knows how bleak life can look as a result. Jaw surgery and a back injury left Dave Peters in agony while a series of psychological traumas sent him spiraling into depression. However, Dave found meaning in life after using his experiences to help others who were also struggling through depression. And he found connection through hugs, horror movies and...

At 23, artist Amanda Johnson had life all mapped out. She was married, owned her own ceramic shop and was teaching 200 students a week, firing her three kilns seven days a week and employing seven other staff. She was a successful businesswoman and artist. She approached having children with the same confident expectation of success but instead, fell into a quagmire of self doubt and depression. S...

As a young girl, Jaz loved playing soccer and riding her BMX bike. When she hit puberty, her love of life deserted her. She’d spend hours standing in front of the mirror, arms straight by her sides wishing she could always hide her curves. For the next 20 years she tried to destroy herself, the thought of being able to end her pain through suicide her only comfort. She wanted to transition but wor...

Everyone knows that rural depression is an issue. But few have considered the issues that cause it. Farmer Brendan Cullen reached such a dark place he regularly sat in his car shouting at himself or on his bed sobbing. Today, it’s hard to believe the cheerful sheep station manager from Broken Hill found himself in such pain until he lists the many factors that caused it - isolation, being on duty...