Breaking Taboos: Older Australians talk about mental health

David Menadue is one of the longest surviving people with AIDS in Australia. David has overcome many AIDS-related illnesses since he was positively diagnosed with HIV in 1984. He was 32 years old at the time. David has lived a much longer life than many expected him to. He puts this down to a few things, but what he believes has had the biggest impact on him, is the unwavering and ongoing support he received from his family and friends. This episode contains discussions of difficult sub...

In this episode - Intergenerational Living - our producer Helene Thomas visits a mother-and-daughter sharehouse. It was eight years ago that Elizabeth’s daughter was looking for a housemate. Elizabeth was in her mid 50s, and she was also looking for a place to live, so they moved in together. Turns out they are the best of housemates. They live in a rental in inner-city Perth, Western Australia. When Elizabeth isn’t working as a casual librarian she spends a lot of her time keeping physically...

Transgender woman Kathy Mansfield shares her experience of depression at the age of 62, right at the cusp of her gender journey. We learn through Kathy’s living experience that as well as feeling liberated from living authentically, there are unique challenges some older adults face when transitioning. Kathy is from rural Victoria, and she’s now in her late 70s. She lives with her wife who she’s been married to for just over 50 years. Kathy applied her own experience to develop a resource to ...

In this episode we are taken to a choir rehearsal and fishing club meeting in Hervey Bay Queensland. And an exercise class at a village hub in Perth, Western Australia. The two women we’ll be hearing from value social connection and staying active as they get older. Both are in their 60s. Anne from Hervey Bay, not her real name, has joined fishing and singing groups. These give her a sense of belonging and keep her life varied and fun. For Perth woman Susan, it’s attending her regular exercis...

Some people go through life without ever experiencing any mental health conditions. But what happens when you suddenly find yourself in your late 80s feeling depressed and anxious for the first time. In this episode, 'First time depression as an octogenarian', we learn how physical changes can lead to big emotions. How do you make sense of these overwhelming feelings? Who do you talk to? What actions do you take? This happened to Alan Price. He lives one hour north east of Melbour...

Breaking Taboos: Older Australians Talk About Mental Health is a ten-part conversational podcast series that brings raw, heartfelt stories into the spotlight, offering an unfiltered look at the mental health journeys of Australians aged 60 and over. From navigating grief, retirement, and aged care transitions to living with HIV/AIDS or undergoing gender transition later in life, the series covers ground rarely explored in public conversations. The series shows how people can live well i...