Maria Tan

“I thought the only way out was to take
my own life.

Upon reflection, Brogden realises that he was affected by depression for almost a decade prior to 2005. He recalls being unhappy that the balance had disappeared from his life, and that stress had worn him down to the point where he could no longer relax.

“What happened to me a few years ago was actually a grace, it was a blessing,” Brogden says. “I believe in fate in that sense, and that the events of my life happened for a reason.”

Three years on, Brogden says his recovery would not have been possible without the love and support of his wife, Lucy. “I simply couldn’t have done it without my wife,” he says.

The Northern Beaches couple and their three young children Flinders, Hugh and Trinity now have more time to spend together as a family. “Four years ago, being seen by many people in as many parts of NSW as possible was important,” Brogden says. “Now seeing my family as often as possible is more important.”

Dividing his time between his community, family and work as the CEO of health fund Manchester Unity, Brogden has learned to “get the balance right” by working hard, but not to the point of exhaustion. “I think I’m far happier,” Brogden says, “and possibly the happiest I have ever been.”

Appointed as the first patron of the Lifeline NSW network in May last year, he now volunteers his free time travelling throughout NSW as an advocate for mental health. “I enjoy supporting Lifeline and sharing my story because I can see the beneficial effects it has,” Brogden says.

“Mental illness is not a death sentence. Put your hand up, seek some assistance and don’t hide your illness from people. People can come back, and there is a way out of dark places. You can re-enter life, you can re-enter work, and you can re-enter relationships. As I like to say it: ‘Live again, work again, love again.’”

Brogden is optimistic that the ‘she’ll be right mate’ attitude that downplays the tough times one in five Australians experience when affected by a mental illness – the most common being depression and anxiety– is coming to an end.

“I think in 20 years time we’ll look back at this period and say, ‘This was the time that Australia’s attitude towards mental illness changed.’

“The biggest single thing our society can do is lift the taboo on mental illness. We need to be able to talk about depression and mental illness in exactly the same way we talk about physical illness.”

Spokesperson for the Hunter Institute of Mental Health, Jaelea Skehan, says that increasing public awareness of “common stereotypes” would be a proactive step towards reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

“It’s about looking at ways that Australian society accepts difference and not be frightened of it,” Skehan says. “We need to recognise as a community that there’s a role for everyone to play.”

Chairman of Lifeline NSW, David Woolley, says Brogden was chosen as the network’s inaugural patron because he is a “very compassionate person who is able to connect with all sections of society”.

“John represents a beacon of hope for people that live with depression because he understands its consequences,” Woolley says.

Despite the hardships Brogden had to overcome, he reveres his time in politics as an “unbelievable opportunity”. “I had a great chance to make a contribution,” he says. “I loved every minute of it except the last few days to be very honest.”

Although passionate about politics, Brogden admits to missing it less than he thought he would have. He had imagined himself keeping his finger on the political pulse by reading the newspapers front-to-back and listening to the news every hour.

“I thought it would be coursing through my veins,” Brogden says. “I’m amazed at how quickly life has moved on.”