Lifeline Australia is launching the second season of its Holding On To Hope podcast.
The eight-episode series explores how Australians can come together as a community to provide support for themselves and each other and kick off meaningful conversations around mental health.
Lifeline CEO Colin Seery said that each episode features inspirational stories from people who have experienced mental illness and details in their own words how they continue to overcome challenges through strength, courage and hope.
“Holding on to Hope is all about giving the listener an authentic insight into the lived experience of suicidality. Through first-person storytelling, the podcast provides encouragement and support to those looking to find hope,” Seery said.
“We saw from the first season how our podcasts can be an effective way for people to connect with one another. This season, we have a new host with his own lived experience, which brings an entirely new dimension to these episodes.
“By sharing real stories, we can break down the stigma around suicide and help others feel less alone in their moments of darkness.”
In episode one, host Ruben McKellar, a Lifeline Crisis Supporter, talks to help seeker Lizzie about the impact long-term domestic abuse in the family home has had on her life. She reveals that she got to a point where nothing was working, living with the guilt and shame of experiences that happened to her during childhood.
“I couldn’t hide it through food or alcohol or work and yet I hadn’t opened up to people about it either, so I knew that that it was affecting me deep, deep down,” she said.
“I used to feel like vulnerability was weakness … from there, I just gained strength and confidence to own my story, but not to be a victim of it anymore – to share it in a way to help others. And to be real, to be authentic.”
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In the coming weeks, episodes will feature interviews with individuals, including former AFL star Tom Boyd and suicide survivor Matt Caruana as well as Crisis Supporter Nicole and Anwyn, who reflects on the 10-year anniversary of the attempt to take her life.
Episodes will be released fortnightly, and each one is designed to help people improve their understanding of mental health and learn techniques including self-care, building resilience, and taking the first steps towards asking for help.