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Australian Celebrities Speak Out About Depression

Asher Keddie

"I think women put a lot of pressure on themselves," actress Asher Keddie observes. "Not only to maintain a really high level of activity, but to be in control of every area of our lives, and look after everyone else's as well. I know that that’s true for myself."

For the Offspring star, learning to let go began after a particularly stressful period. "Through my twenties, acting was the be all and end all, and I ended up feeling mentally strung out," she reveals. "Once I hit my thirties, I realised I needed to address that, and for me, that was by making the conscious decision to move to the country and spend time with my horses, which is what always makes me feel good."

While she admits balancing her life can still be a challenge, signing on as an ambassador for Blackmore's new Personal Health System (www.my.blackmores.com.au) has enlightened her approach. "My energy levels had been suffering, and it turned out my diet wasn't as balanced as I thought it was. Mental and physical health plays a huge role in my ability to feel robust enough to tackle the challenges that life throws my way."

Ricki-Lee Coutler

At 21, Ricki-Lee Coulter appeared to have it all: chart-topping hits, a soaring career and wedding plans in place. "But I was miserable," the now 26 year old admits. "I was so overwhelmed and overworked that I felt like my world was caving in on me. And I felt alone, because I felt like no-one could possibly understand what I was feeling, so I kept it to myself."

It took a tough conversation with a friend—and a diagnosis of mild depression—to start the long process of loving her life again.

"I had to start forcing myself to speak up about how I felt, rather than bottling all my feelings up until I became an emotional wreck. Once I did, it felt really nice to talk to people rather than have it swirling around in my head," she says. "Don't be afraid to speak up and speak out about the way you feel - help is closer than you think. You don't have to live your life being miserable. In my case, I realized I had to confront everything that was bringing me down, and that meant making some huge life changes and really difficult decisions."

Those included ending her seven-year "emotionally abusive and unsupportive" relationship and rebuilding family relationships. Now enjoying renewed success (her single Raining Diamonds is out now) and a loving relationship, Coulter says she's a different woman. "After finally confronting those issues, I gained so much strength and self worth."

Jessica Rowe

"When my post-natal depression was at its worst, I felt like I was losing my mind," recalls journalist, author and mother-of-two Jessica Rowe. Although a vocal campaigner for mental health awareness, she admits that, at the time, she felt there was a stigma around what she was experiencing.

"I felt ashamed. I felt like I had to buy into the whole idea that motherhood is the happiest time in your life, when it wasn't. But I wasn't being honest with myself or the people around me. I didn't want to 'fess up that I wasn't coping."

It was her mother, who had felt similar social shame decades earlier when suffering from bi-polar, who urged her to share her feelings with her husband and seek help from her doctor.

"I feel very strongly about people making that first step and asking for help. There is a way through and you don't need to suffer on your own. The biggest lesson I learned—and am still learning—is that we all need help at different times in our life. Just because you go through a difficult time doesn't then mean that you're any less strong. Learning to be gentle with myself is a work in progress."

Charlotte Dawson

Over the 12 years that Charlotte Dawson has suffered from depression, she's seen attitudes towards mental health slowly evolve.

"I think people are a lot more aware of how prevalent these issues are. But there is still a sense of, 'Just get over it'," she says. "If you fall over and break your arm, you go and see a doctor. No one says, how embarrassing or how weak. In my opinion, mental illness should have exactly the same level of understanding and availability of treatment."

Not seeking help early is her biggest regret. "I was never taught how to deal with negative emotions, and I swept them under the carpet. I should have dealt with a lot of stuff sooner, but I just didn't know help existed. I eventually talked to a friend, and then my GP, but there are helplines out there if you need to speak to someone confidentially."

Now medication free, and managing her depression with diet and exercise, she's learned "to be grateful of the positive emotions and just accept the negative ones and understand that it is normal to have sad days, and also that they do pass."

Samantha Armytage

"Mental illness can have almost as much effect on a family as it can on the person who's suffering. It's tough on everyone involved," says Weekend Sunrise host Samantha Armytage, whose late grandfather had bi-polar disorder. "As a child, I was protected from his extreme highs and lows, but there was always an awareness that he wasn't quite normal. As an adult, it's made me angry for that generation. It was something that was not talked about, and in the early days Grandpa was just considered mad. I would hate to think that the people who are going through that still get the same treatment from society."

Today, Armytage's father is involved with Riverina Bluebell, a depression awareness organisation for rural areas. "It can be a very solitary, tough life in regional areas, so I'm really proud of Dad for using his own experiences to help other men and their families."

Ada Nicodemou

When Home And Away star Ada Nicodemou noticed changes in her husband Chris' usually-cheerful demeanour, she knew something was wrong.

"The problem was, I didn't know how to handle it. I tried to fix it, and I didn't understand why he couldn't just snap out of it. There was a lot of miscommunication and, for him, shame in admitting that he wasn't okay. I just felt helpless."

For Chris, a diagnosis of depression, followed by therapy and medication were the first steps to recovery. And for Ada, counseling helped her understand what her husband was going through and change her approach.

"I had to relearn a lot of communications skills so I could help him and help us." These days, Chris is medication-free and, says Ada, "We're both the happiest we've been. We have a really solid marriage; I think we're a lot stronger because of what we've been through together."

Zoe Tuckwell-Smith

An ambassador for R U OK Day, Zoe Tuckwell-Smith believes that asking that simple question can have a huge impact.

"Friends have a vital role in looking out for their mates' mental health," she says. "While it's great if you're there to help pick up the pieces, you can also help prevent things from getting to that point. Part of that is just having a simple conversation and just being there for them."

It's a lesson the Winners & Losers actress learned while watching two friends struggle with depression. "I just had to let them know that I loved them and I was there. When you have gone somewhere deep and had a connection beyond going down the pub, there's a realness and a sincerity to that friendship that lasts a lifetime."