111, 2014

John’s Story

By |November 1st, 2014|Depression, Whirlwind Stories|0 Comments

For many, John Kirwan is the kiwi rugby legend who played 63 Tests for New Zealand and scored tries at will. But in recent years, most will know John Kirwan as the man who went public with his battle with depression.

John Kirwan is a household name in New Zealand, and one of the most recognizable […]

1510, 2014

Marcus’ Story

By |October 15th, 2014|Depression, Whirlwind Stories|0 Comments

Marcus Trescothick is a supremely gifted cricketer from England who was the first in the international game to speak out about struggles with depression. Having returned early from two high profile tours due to a ‘stress-related illness’, and having tried and failed a number of times to conquer his issues in an effort to prolong […]

110, 2014

Vic’s Story

By |October 1st, 2014|Depression, Whirlwind Stories|0 Comments

I grew up in a normal Samoan family in Auckland in the 1950s and 60s, living in a State house, going to church on Sunday, doing all the faeus (chores) and getting hidings. It seemed like everyone was allowed to give me a hiding – at home, at church, at school, at family occasions – […]

1509, 2014

Mike’s Story

By |September 15th, 2014|Depression, Whirlwind Stories|0 Comments

Mike Chunn is best known for his role as bass player and founding member of seminal New Zealand 70’s band Split Enz. Along with school friends Brian (Tim) Finn and Phil Judd, Chunn formed a band that it is widely regarded as the first to really put New Zealand popular music on the map.  

After […]

109, 2014

Terence’s Story

By |September 1st, 2014|Depression, Whirlwind Stories|0 Comments

Imagine standing on a jetty, either side and in front there is a mirror of calm water disappearing into the distance. When you leave school there are many paths like this, but as you get older they become few. I am 50 now. One of these paths led me into marriage and raising a family […]

1508, 2014

Jeremy’s Story

By |August 15th, 2014|Depression, Whirlwind Stories|0 Comments

“The real problem is in the hearts and minds of men”- “it is ok to ask for help” 

I am a 46 yr old of maori descent and of course am proud to be maori except for the fact that we top a couple of statistics in society that are not good – those being domestic […]

108, 2014

Jay’s Story

By |August 1st, 2014|Depression, Whirlwind Stories|0 Comments

I’m using my mind and my thoughts, to deal with bipolar. One day I hope I can reach out to young people out there in time, so they don’t have to go through what I went through. This was written when I was about 21. Now I’m 28 ? living, learning and helping.

When I was […]

107, 2014

Stephen’s Story

By |July 1st, 2014|Depression, Whirlwind Stories|0 Comments

Stephen Fry is one of the most recognisable faces on television. An intellectual, an actor, a journalist, a gay man, a film-maker, a comedian and a presenter, he is well loved the world over for his warmth, honesty, sense of humour and disarming humility. 

Stephen Fry is perhaps best remembered for his comedy show “A bit […]

1506, 2014

Steve’s Story

By |June 15th, 2014|Depression, Whirlwind Stories|0 Comments

When did I start to fall apart?

When I kept on taking psychedelic drugs, even though I hated most of my trips? When I carried on drinking until the bottom of the bottle arrived, with no accompanying revelation? When I had my first breakdown? Or when I chose to ignore it? When I developed chaotically fluctuating […]

106, 2014

Mark’s Story

By |June 1st, 2014|Depression, Whirlwind Stories|0 Comments

How often does a story of depression start with the words…’everything was going well in my life’ ?
I was partner in an Architectural practice, had two lovely kids, a lovely wife, a nice home in an idyllic Cornish town by the sea.

For some inexplicable reason, as the millennium drew to a close, I decided that […]