Adam Schwartz
Life Happens - Saying Our Last Goodbye

I’m pretty lucky, I had 27 years with 4 grandparents. By 28, I’ll still be lucky with 2.

July 14th, my anxiety was spiking as I was scheduled to sit my first law exam. Mum came home, tears in her eyes, I said “what’s wrong?”. She said “I don’t know if I should tell you”. “Just tell me”, I replied.

Mental Health, Wellbeing
Adam Schwartz
Same-sex Marriage - How I feel isn't enough

I would hope most of you are aware of the current same-sex marriage (SSM) postal vote; to be more specific, a plebiscite. A non-binding survey, used to gauge the position of the Australian electorate. The last national plebiscite was in 1977 to determine what our national song would be. The only other national plebiscites were in 1916, and 1917 regarding military service. Considering our current level of technology, the fact that this is neither mandatory, nor binding, as well as costing roughly $122 million, the question of why ‘bother with a plebiscite?’ is a reaction many have had.

Mental Health
Adam Schwartz
International Nurses Day - From a life saved, ...

Today is International Nurses Day. A day many of us wouldn’t know about.

I owe a lot to the nurses I’ve crossed paths with. In fact if any of us have ever had to experience the medical world and walk into a hospital either for ourselves, or a loved one, we owe more to the nurses we crossed paths with than we realise.

More gratitude, more appreciation, and more respect.

School, Mental Health
Adam Schwartz
Graduating University - When you don't walk the ...

Graduating university; a significant achievement for some, an inevitability for others, and an impossibility for many.

I never imagined finishing university. Actually, that’s not entirely true.

Growing up, especially during high school, university was an inevitability for me. After all, that’s what you do, you go to high school, finish your exams, go to university and get a degree, and then get a job. That’s what we are taught to do, that’s the way the education system is structured. I never imaged any other path was realistic, let alone actually possible.

Relationships, Mental Health, Family, Self Help, Wellbeing
Adam Schwartz
Dear Women...

Today is international Women’s Day, and so to the women in my life...

Dear women,

If there’s anything I know it’s that you have had, and continue to have an immeasurable role in my life. I quite literally wouldn’t be here without you – in fact none of us would be.

Thank you for bringing me into this world, and more importantly for keeping me in it.

You have loved me when I was unlovable; you listened when no one else would.

depression

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Graduating University - When you don't walk the traditional path

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Graduating university; a significant achievement for some, an inevitability for others, and an impossibility for many.

I never imagined finishing university. Actually, that’s not entirely true.

Growing up, especially during high school, university was an inevitability for me. After all, that’s what you do, you go to high school, finish your exams, go to university and get a degree, and then get a job. That’s what we are taught to do, that’s the way the education system is structured. I never imaged any other path was realistic, let alone actually possible.

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RUOK Day | Who have you asked?

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I received a call this afternoon from a friend of mine. She read my post about the importance of listening, and followed the links that provided tips on how to have a conversation about someone you’re concerned with. After asking “are you okay?” she was met with an “I’m fine”. When it was pushed, it was met with aggression.

She asked me:

“What can I do? How can I get someone I care for to acknowledge something isn’t right?”

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Mum, I wish I was dead - A parents perspective | Mental As - ABC Radio - Jessica Bineth

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As part of the ABC's Mental As programming, Jessica Bineth interviewed both mum and dad, to help give a parents perspective on my depression. It also sheds light on how a mental illness can affect more than just the sufferer.

Anne:

"He called me into his room very upset one morning and said, 'mummy my heart is black, my body is full of anger and I wish I was dead'."

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The road to recovery shouldn't be so dark | Niamh Slevin - The Australia Times GIVE magazine

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Mental illness is often an uncomfortable topic for many as people have a lack of understanding or cannot comprehend. It is essential to share the facts and talk openly about experiences in order to equip others with knowledge and fight the stigma attached to mental illness that directly impacts on those affected.

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“I told mum my heart is black, my body is full of anger and I want to die”

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Mental health: Adam Schwartz shares journey of hope through depression to help other sufferers | ABC News - Heads Up

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The mental health journey of 24-year-old university student Adam Schwartz has taken him to the darkest places since he was 10, but "hope for the future" is what saved him from severe depression.

Mr Schwartz — who is now an author, speaker and Black Dog volunteer youth presenter based in Sydney — said he had suicidal thoughts from a young age.

"Mum has reminded me that when I was 10, I told her my heart is black, my body is full of anger, and that I wish I was dead," he said.

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Black Dog Institute interview - Sharing my experiences and insights with suicide | ABC News - Heads Up campaign

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A few weeks ago I did an interview with the Black Dog Institute discussing my experience with suicide, suicidal thoughts and ideations, how I got to such a dark place, and the importance of hope.

It's mainly been used for educational purposes in a program that is being designed for GP's to better understand suicide.

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RUOK Day | It’s more than just asking a question

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Every now and then I ask my friends from overseas what they’ve learnt from the ‘eloquently rich and diverse’ Australian language since they arrived.

Generally, there are the uniquely Aussie (this is one of the words!) phrases such as bogan, drop bears, and Maccas. We also try to shorten as many words as possible by adding an ‘o’ or ‘ies’ to the end; arvo, servo, vego, sunnies, boardies, mozzies, etc. A mate can be a best friend or a complete stranger, and of course the most valuable lesson is realising that thongs are something you wear on your feet.

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New South Wales Institute of Psychiatry - ECT | Guest Lecturer

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Yesterday I had the opportunity to lecture alongside Professor Garry Walter at the NSW Institute of Psychiatry. The lecture focused on electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), its history, the benefits, risks, misconceptions, and the latest research.

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Live Interview with Kathryn Ryan on Radio New Zealand National

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Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by Kathryn Ryan for Radio New Zealand National. Not only did we discuss my book 'mum, i wish i was dead', we went into detail about the tools I use to maintain my health, the importance of persistence, struggles with suicide, the effects depression has on family, friends and school, what it's like to wear the "mask" to try and fit in, as well as much more.

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