Profiles in Hope: Fifteen Australians tell their stories of surviving suicide and finding the way back to a better life.
Every day, nine Australians take their own lives. Nineteen years ago, John Brogden came very close to adding his name to these statistics. But John survived and, since his recovery, he has become a passionate voice for mental health and suicide prevention. Now he is the Honorary President of LifeLine International.
All royalties earned from the sale of this book will go to Lifeline
John was diagnosed with depression in early 2006 following a suicide attempt in 2005. His passion for mental illness stems from a breakdown that marked a turning point in his life and reframed the discussion around depression, particularly in the corporate world. Thanks to his profile, John has changed the way we talk about suicide and in turn, is helping thousands of individuals through his involvement with Lifeline Australia as Chairman.
A passionate and charismatic speaker, John Brogden is an outstanding advocate for mental illness. He shares his experiences of depression and suicide with honesty and bravery and challenges the common misunderstandings of living with a mental illness. As one of Australia's leading politicians and now a business leader, John Brogden is living proof that even from the darkest places, there can be a way back. Whilst John has reached the highest levels in his professional career, his personal journey is one of highs and lows, strength and courage.
Who's in the book?
Stories of Hope
The billionaire businessman who proves that no matter how much privilege or wealth you have, it doesn't guarantee good mental health
A young man who tried to take his own life at 16, and from his wheelchair now inspires young people with his courage and determination to walk again
A rugby league legend, who at the top of his career spun out of control, and now turned his life around as an advocate for suicide prevention amongst Aboriginals
An Indigenous army veteran whose service in East-Timor took him to the brink, from which he climbed back to be an Invictus Games champion
A successful Indigenous businesswoman whose lived experience of suicide has made her a powerful voice for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander suicide prevention
A rebel senator whose own experience of suicide has made her a passionate advocate for veterans and service personnel mental health and suicide prevention
A globally recognised swimming legend whose burden of fame took him to the edge and back again
A former member of the Australian Women's Olympic Rugby 7's Team who bounced back from mental and physical illness to transition to life as a man
Is an international women's surfing pioneer, and seven time world champion who fought and overcame mental illness and suicidality
A housewife and mother, who has come back from her suicide attempt to run a non-for-profit neighbourhood centre that lifts people over poverty
A successful journalist who proves how public success can mask internal worthlessness and self doubt, and her journey back to happiness
A former federal minister and now successful businessman whose career almost ended when he tried to take his own life
A stunningly successful AFL player who walked away from it all to put his mental health first
A farmer from Queensland who fought back from depression and suicidality to dedicate himself to help other farmers to open up about their mental health
A young immigrant who struggled through life not fitting in, who now uses his experience to help other young Australians
Testimonials
