Joe at forefront of new campaign

“It’s Time to Talk About Mental Health” is a new initiative aimed at increasing mental health awareness in the community.

Joe is the first of about 20 Victorians to feature in a powerful new video campaign where people from all walks tell their mental health story.

The campaign over the next nine months enabled each individual to share their personal experiences in the hope it will give hope to others and encourage all of us to reflect on our own stories.

Joe’s story was the first to be released on the Better Health Channel as part of National Mental Health Awareness Month in October.

In line with the campaign’s theme, Joe delivers a powerful message at the end of the three-minute video – “don’t be scared to talk to your mates about it.” Joe reminds people there is help available but “you have to take the first step and open up. I’ve been strong enough to open up.”

“Once you open up about it, it’s a weight off your shoulders.

“The more you talk about it and the more we can do as a community, we will slowly break the stigma,” he said.

In the video, Joe talks about his struggles – the “bad thoughts and dark holes” that dominated his life.

“But I always thought noone deserves to find me if I do take my own life.

Farming can be a lonely life and Joe spent many hours on his tractor, escaping the world that was so difficult to live at times. On tough days, his tractor was a place where he could escape to cry.

Joe says he became absorbed in the day to day grind of dairy farming. Sometimes long days, nearly always lonely days while his wife Michelle worked and their sons were at school.

While he still has his dark days, Joe is a passionate believer in early intervention and encourages others to seek help for their problems.

Joe’s best advice for people living with depression is to talk, open the lines of communication with someone you are comfortable with whether it be a professional, a family member or a friend.

“I kept going to people’s places…maybe I was trying to open up to mates.

He now knows the importance of talking and says it continues to be his “best therapy” and his “best release.”

Every year, one in five Victorians experiences a mental illness and one in two of us will experience mental health illness in our lifetime.

Victorians can use the hashtag #timetotalkvic to get involved in the conversation on social media or go to The Better Health Channel to find more information, supports and resources.

If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131114 or beyondblue on 1300 224636. In an emergency, call 000.