Breaking Taboos: Older Australians talk about mental health
Breaking Taboos is a ten-part conversational podcast about ageing and mental health. The episodes explore how older Australians experience mental health, focusing on depression in later life, creating social connections, intergenerational living, experiences of grief, retiring and transitioning into aged care, late-life gender transition, living with HIV/AIDS as an older person and how some people don't want to talk about their experiences to avoid burdening others.
The series seeks to inform listeners about diverse mental health experiences, raise awareness about challenges faced by older adults, and celebrate the wisdom that comes with lived experience.
The podcast is produced by Dr Helene Thomas and Professor Mia Lindgren, with host Professor Kate Burridge.
Breaking Taboos is funded by the Australian Research Council for the national project "De-tabooing depression and anxiety: Mental health communication in older age", led by researchers from Monash University, Corvinius University of Budapest and the University of Tasmania.
Breaking Taboos explore topics that can be difficult to listen to. Please take care and seek help if needed (Australian resources):
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | www.beyondblue.org.au
- Older Persons Mental Health Services | Check with your local health district
- Carer Gateway – 1800 422 737 | Support for those caring for older adults
- Head to Health | www.headtohealth.gov.au (for finding local mental health services)
- Griefline | 1300 845 745
- ACON - HIV Support- 02 9206 2000 | https://www.acon.org.au/what-we-are-here-for/hiv-support/
- LGBTIQ+ Health Australia - 02 7209 6301 | https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au/services_and_supports
Breaking Taboos: Older Australians talk about mental health
Episode 5: Crying doesn't make you soft, it makes you human - Keith and Peter's Story
In some cultures, men are socially encouraged and trained to not to talk openly about what they are feeling and experiencing, seeing any kind of vulnerability as a weakness. This has been the case for the two men who feature in this episode: Crying doesn’t make you soft it makes you human.
Keith Smith is from a rural setting in southern Tasmania. Peter Grumley was raised in regional Queensland. Keith and Peter talk about how they grew up with messages like ‘boys don’t cry’ and ‘toughen up’.
Both men have experienced depression and it was when they were in their 40s and 50s that they began to share their feelings with people they trusted. As members of different men’s groups, Keith and Peter now encourage other men to openly talk about what’s going on in their lives.
This episode contains discussions of difficult subject matter. Please take care while listening. Below are contacts and links to mental health support services (Australia-wide):
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | www.beyondblue.org.au
- Older Persons Mental Health Services – Check with your local health district
- Carer Gateway – 1800 422 737 | Support for those caring for older adults
- Head to Health – www.headtohealth.gov.au for finding local mental health services