Nic, in his latest missive from the States, mentions the
resignation of WA Premier Geoff Gallop.
I don’t know much about WA politics but the cited reason for Gallop’s resignation was depression. Over at LP I blogged about two problems within Rugby League culture. One was related to the death of Steve Rogers who was struggling with depression. Australian males (me included) are reticent lot. We tend to internalize our struggles, not letting onto our mates what problems we have.
Hence it was with anger to note on some discussions regarding Gallops’ resignation the implication that he was too weak to cope with depression. A real man would have soldiered on and dealt with it. I have no idea about Geoff Gallop as a person but such comments are very wrong. This blinkered, macho mindset is what helps prevent Aussie males from being able to discuss such issues. If we are depressed we feel that the only way to cope is to stoically endure the black dog. This is what kills us.
To deal with depression we must face it head on and have the support we need to deal with it. That is to be open, to have someone to talk to and to be able to admit to a problem without fearing that you are less of man by doing so.
