Lauren broadcasts message of awareness

Media

Bachelor of Media student and Radio Adelaide volunteer Lauren Kandelaars has won a prestigious award for using her personal experiences to improve awareness of depression.

Lauren's five-part series Living with the Black Dog won the Media section of the Dr Margaret Tobin Award for Excellence in Mental Health 2005, for "Excellence in promoting positive mental illness and mental health in a balanced and respectful way". She was presented with the award at a special presentation ceremony by State Health Minister, Ms Lea Stevens.

"I am so thrilled about this award. A lot of heart and soul went into this project and I'm just really excited that everything worked out well," said Lauren.

For the series, which aired on Radio Adelaide as part of its contribution to Mental Health Week, Lauren drew on her personal experience of depression, discussing the onset of the illness, its treatment and her recovery.

She said young Australians are at risk of depression, with statistics showing one in five people will experience it at some point in their lives.

"It feels as if one half of your brain is constantly reminding you that what you are doing is not good enough, whereas the other half is telling you that everything is alright. I felt as though my mind was persistently dragging me down," Lauren said.

"I kept trying to remind myself that 'Lauren, you are not like this', but basically it's not something that you can just snap out of.

"The series was a valuable therapy session as it helped me to get over things. By speaking openly about it, I realised that it is OK to express what you're feeling and that I shouldn't feel silly.

"I have never felt better in my life."

Story by Jasna Rojevic