Hey team. My name's Aaron. Thanks for the opportunity to share, and if you choose to read this, thank you even more.
My experience with depression has been going for about 15 years now. I used to wonder why I cried myself to sleep most nights, trying to imagine if anyone else was doing it too. I didn't think so.
I found alcohol in my teens which seemed like the answer to my prayers. It helped me forget how I was feeling, at least for short periods.
By about 2011/2012, I was at my lowest ebb. Binge drinking constantly and regularly entertaining the thought of suiciding.
But I had a crystallising moment. I decided I had to live. My parents had fought so hard through various illnesses and hardships to give what little they could for me. I couldn't repay them like that. I drove myself to the hospital and poured my heart and soul out to the amazing ED nurses. It was the first step.
When I was diagnosed with depression, I felt such a relief - because I now had a name for what I was feeling. I could fight back.
I've had highs and lows, relapsed and recovered but I'm still here to tell the story. You're all amazing people for being part of this community and I hope I can contribute. I'm approaching a decade as a police officer. Sharing my personal story has helped me reach out and break through to so many people. I acknowledge all of you who have the courage to do so too.
I hope I can learn from you all and maybe help a little too.
Thank you for reading.
