Local film director, Jye Currie and ABC radio host and author, Craig Hamilton have been touring Australia with the recent Green Frog Productions documentary, ‘The Promise’, based on the importance of talking about Mental Health. Yak Staff Writer, Ezra Platt had the pleasure of interviewing them.

(TRIGGER WARNING: Mental Health, Suicide)

A promise is considered a declaration or assurance that one will do something. Craig made this promise always to seek help if he experiences a health decline again.

“Make the promise to someone, that if things are overwhelming you, and if you’re in that place where you don’t think you’ll recover. Make the call, the call to action. A promise to confide in someone.”

Craig Hamilton

This documentary by Novocastrian Jye Currie, dives deep into the courageous life of Craig Hamilton, and his remarkable story that embodies the essence of hope. ‘The Promise’ shines a light on the lives of suicide survivors and families, who share their incredibly brave, raw, and heart-warming stories to remind the viewers that we all are strong enough to keep fighting, even when we don’t feel like we can. This documentary holds the ability to remove the boundaries of silence surrounding the topic of mental health and provides a step forward to rewriting the narrative.

In 2000, Craig had become severely depressed. Within twelve months of being diagnosed with depression, he suffered a manic episode on his way to possibly his most important job in broadcasting, The Sydney Olympic Games, and was hospitalised. Later, he would be diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

After sending a message to Craig Hamilton – Mental Health Advocate, and Jye Currie – Film Director and Founder of (Green Frog Productions), I got the chance to interview both of them on their recent collaboration while creating the documentary, ‘The Promise’ – a suicide prevention story.

Jye, from the filmmaker’s perspective, what drew you to create a documentary focusing on mental illness and suicide?

I heard Craigs’ story and read his books, and they moved me.

Also, mental illness is a topic that should be talked about more, I wanted to do just that and tell a story that could help others and create an impact. My company, Green Frog Productions, looks at telling stories that haven’t been told, and we hope to reshape the industry in a way that creates a sense of hope and awareness.

Craig, you have shared a lot of your experience with mental health over the years, such as through your two books, as well as this documentary. Can you tell us about that experience?

 ‘Broken Open’ was first published in 2005 and follows my journey through staring down my demons to survive a mental breakdown; it details my experience. As for ‘A Better Life’ (2012), that is more of a tool book, a guide for people looking to improve their mental health. I tried a lot of different therapies, some better than the last, they are all in the book. I recommend to anyone that they try everything until they find something that works for them, and that its okay for something not to work.

As for the documentary, we talked to many different people that have been affected by mental illness and who may continue to be challenged with mental illness, such as Jessica Rowe (Author, Journalist and Mental Health Advocate) and Bailey Seamer, another Newcastle girl from Caves Beach, who walked the Southernmost coast of Australia to the top; 5000kms along the east coast to raise money for Black Dog Institute, it took her a year to do so.

Jye Currie & Craig Hamilton

The people who spoke in this documentary made this story a powerful one but also made it a confronting one, we wanted to make sure we included all parts so people could get out what they need and discover some solutions that might work for them.

What drew you (Craig) to creating a space to help others, and where can someone contact you to speak if needed?

I was drawn to speaking and helping others with their experience because I want people to know they can recover. If I can tell my story and others can come forward and share theirs, it shows that there are ways to find your strength and fight to recover.

Many people feel that they will never recover at the time, and I did as well; I thought that my depression that I experienced was so great and so deep that it was the best it was going to get; and in fact, it was getting worse. But I think my story is now a story of hope because I can talk about those times and tell people that they can make it through this. It’s not easy, but if you get the support and make sure you’re part of the solution, you can recover.

Because sometimes, it’s not as simple as saying the system will support me, my family will support me; my friends will support me, because in a lot of cases, that’s not the case.

As for Craigs’ speaking, details can be found on his page, alongside further information on how mental health and reducing the stigma is important, as well as links to his books. If Craig is holding a community speaking event, the location will be shown. Otherwise, further enquiries and requests can be made through the tab.

How could stories like this, on mental health change society and potentially the industry?

Personal stories are very powerful. What they do is portray to the rest of the community that mental illness can impact anybody; it doesn’t discriminate. What the documentary shows quite clearly is that it can be anybody, (suicide affects an outrageous amount of people, according to the stats within Australia, about nine people die by suicide a day and 6000 attempt), someone who may have a good job, have a good family life etc. could suffer from depression, and I think if it can be someone like me, then it can be anyone because I am that person, that doesn’t have a reason to be depressed, I just was. And once these stories become more common, the rest of the world can say, “Hey I didn’t realise that.”

What would be your advice for someone struggling with their mental health?

Know you can get better, and you can recover even though it seems difficult, and that you’re currently in a painful place and overwhelmed at times.

Make sure someone else knows. Don’t carry the burden by yourself. Now, if you feel like you can’t tell friends, family, or work colleagues, tell a counsellor; call Lifeline, call a GP. And the moment you do, the moment you have the conversation even if you don’t know them, it will help.

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help.

LIFELINE (24 hours per day): 13 11 14 or SMS 0477 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au 

You can also find help at https://www.betterhelp.com

To learn more about what you could be feeling, you can find further information about mental health at https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/personal-stories

Feature image and trailer by Jye Currie, Green Frog Productions.