Depression is the black dog that hurls its victims towards hopelessness and despair.
But it doesn’t have to be like that – at the end of a dark tunnel, there’s always light, as Melton councillor Nola Dunn reminds people who have been diagnosed with the disease.
Cr Dunn’s community service isn’t restricted to her official civic duties. She’ll be hosting the ‘Wool-Jam’ fundraiser with her daughter, Ashleigh, to raise awareness of teenage depression.
“I think [teenage depression] is a real problem and teenagers need to go out and be able to have a conversation with their mates and not hold it in,” Cr Dunn said.
She hosted a low-key fundraiser for beyondblue two years ago, but has upped the ante this year and is inviting everyone to boogie with rock ‘n’ roll bands Fender Benders, Jump n Jive and DJ Jeff.
And she hopes to kill two birds with one stone by raising money for the organisation and kickstarting the conversation about depression.
“There isn’t enough of a discussion around depression, especially among young male teenagers because it’s not the macho thing to do,” she said. “It’s not something we should be hiding in the closet, because it’s there.”
The fundraiser is from 11am-5pm on Sunday, November 23, at the Deanside Woolshed, 96 Reed Court, Plumpton. Tickets cost $20 and are available at the door.
To find out more, visit facebook.com/events/749224018462325 or call 0421 108 007.
