I truly believe my experience has enabled me to be a better, more caring physician to my patients …

At the age of 21, halfway through my medical training, I found myself in a psychiatric hospital for depression and substance abuse.

It’s hard to say which caused which but in a short period I had gone from being an upbeat guy with a loving family, great friends and a promising career to a hopelessly lost soul, stuck in a dark hole from which absolutely no light was visible. I don’t think there is a lonelier place than that hole.

It took many months of hard work, professional psychiatric help, counselling, medication, group therapy, and time, but with the support of friends and family I was able to begin to see the light again.

I learnt that I wasn’t weak, just sick. I was incredibly lucky I had the resources available to me that I did — because, the truth is, there was no way I could have recovered alone.

In time, I was able, with professional support, to come off my medication. I continued therapy and support programmes for many years. I also began running. I went back to medical school and graduated, despite being told that I would never make it.

I truly believe that my experience has enabled me to be a better, more caring physician to my patients. When you’ve been in the same desolate place, you’re better able to empathise with those who are struggling. Depression, nevertheless, is not something I would wish on my worst enemy.

Doctors in SA are pushed too hard. No question. We see and do things daily that would give regular folk nightmares. We work ridiculously long hours, our goodwill is exploited by our employers, and we are unsupported by our regulatory bodies.

The high incidence of suicide and mental illness is testament to this. I was lucky I was able to survive it, but we need to find a kinder, better way. Our lives, literally, depend on it. —