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- Neil Mitchell negotiates with protestor on Flinders Street rail tracks
- Ambulance Service in crisis: one hour and 22 minutes but still no response
- Show a little tact, Premier Napthine
- Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian impression was just a bad joke
- Demetriou: Bump is not dead
- Demetriou: Drug policy has saved AFL players' lives
- Salvos frustrated by students' undercover homeless stunt
- A must-listen insight into the pressures our paramedics face
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What we're talking about
- Cam on Ambulance Service in crisis: one hour ... Although every person wants to have a world class health system, this is difficult to acheive with the policys currently in ... more
- Lukew on Show a little tact, Premier Napthine Of course this coming from a journalist; a profession notorious for its stomping all over decency in the tactless pursuit of ... more
- Lukew on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... This is not even remotely racist in any negative sense. more
- Paddy on Show a little tact, Premier Napthine No mention of seat belt.....? more
- sue ostroff on Neil Mitchell negotiates with protestor ... well done Neil, you spoke to Gerry with respect. Thankyou more
- Ambo on Ambulance Service in crisis: one hour ... Clearly, from the decision to leave the hospital and see the GP over blood test results, this was NOT an emergency case.Had ... more
- Worried on Ambulance Service in crisis: one hour ... Please don't blame the Ambos - blame the system that they are desperately trying to work within.CODE RED - Value YOUR Ambos more
- Greg on Show a little tact, Premier Napthine He will take any opportunity for a pic. The one you won't see is him with the ambo's that worked on the driver with a truck ... more
- supportourambos on Ambulance Service in crisis: one hour ... Simple fact is Ambulance Victoria is in crisis. How Mr.Sasella remains in his job is a joke. Vic Pol had a massive shake up ... more
- Maurice Xanthos on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... Has anyone mentioned Darren James's impressions. All done in good humour and no one seems to get offended. And what about ... more
- IAN on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... Get over it. more
- Mighty Mick on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... Amazing of what we are becoming as a society soon no-one will talk to one another because of fear of descrimination. Our ... more
- Pete Wilson on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... Amazing isn't it, several years back Ernie Dingo interviewed Cathy Freeman on the great outdoors, opening line was "G'day ... more
- Al Colley on A must-listen insight into the ... Thank you mr and mrs work snob for your kind words and support. As a baby boomer who has been a paramedic for 27 years I can ... more
- Ricky on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... Just as well the hand wringers weren't sround when Sandy introduced Miss Australia on live tv at the Mount Gambier races ... more
- Michael on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... Its getting ridiculous when innocuous comments get labled as racist vilification. What he actually said wasnt derogatory. An ... more
- Margaret on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... So Sandy is being castigated for his comments.What about "Football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars". Do Aussies object ... more
- Mal on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... Sandy just did an innocent joke badly. What fair minded Australians find insulting is the over-reaction by those saying it ... more
- Gordon on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... What a vile little man Sandy Roberts is, people like him make it shameful to be Australian. more
- Barry Cooper on Sandy Roberts isn't racist, his Indian ... These poor fools with nothing better to do than whinge about anything that strikes their mind should get a bloody life I for ... more
Depression can be tough, but it is treatable - Ian Thorpe proves it
Ian Thorpe is arguably Australia’s greatest sportsman.
Five Olympic gold medals, at 14 years of age he was the youngest swimmer to represent Australia, and six hold at one world titles.
He was the most successful athlete at the Sydney Games: 3 Gold, 2 Silver.
He was an extraordinary swimmer, and he did much of it drunk, depressed, and taking medication for his mental health.
He has explained this in his autobiography, some of which was released at the weekend.
This really shows me how strong Thorpe is. What he has done here could be as important as his swimming.
He admits to being suicidal, he admits to heavy drinking – which he hid. He says he has been treated for depression for a long time and taken medication for it.
He talks about the highs of gold not being as high because he was medicated. He talks about world titles not giving him the huge buzz for the same reason.
And the best thing, he survives. He is getting on with life.
There are a couple of messages here: how far we have come and how a person can hide it.
Ian Thorpe can talk openly about his mental health and nobody mocks or shuns him, people only admire him. But he hid his problems even from those closest to him.
The message then is, don’t be ashamed. Confront it, deal with it and get help – particularly if you are suicidal.
Share it. Depression is treatable, it can be tough, but it is treatable. Ian Thorpe proves it.
For help and information about depression contact Lifeline, 131 114, or www.lifeline.org.au; beyondblue, 1300 224 636, or www.beyondblue.org.au.
Blog comments
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Firstly, there is no way he is our greatest sportsman. He was always over rated. Secondly whilst depression is a very serious issue and needs to be treated asap, he seems more like a sook. Funny how all these things come out just as he is writing a book, but has he let all of his secrets out f the closet? I doubt it.
Ric Flair Monday 15 October, 2012 - 2:22 PM -
The cynics out here might say this news is a great teaser,especially during a book launch...Then,you would have to be cynical-wouldn't you!
jgl Melb Monday 15 October, 2012 - 2:06 PM
