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In an exclusive interview with Woman’s Day, popular broadcaster Polly Gillespie has revealed she has struggled with depression and anxiety since she was a teenager.
The More FM and Rova radio host was only diagnosed with mental health issues when she was 21 and found herself in a psychiatric ward, but realises she first felt the signs when she was just 13. “For eight years, I’d have these bouts of what I now know was depression,” she says.
Finally diagnosed with depression and anxiety while working in Gisborne, Polly was told it was something she’d have to keep an eye on for the rest of her life. And she says the hardest part has been the feeling of isolation that comes with mental illness.
Polly and her ex-husband Grant are still on great terms – and even still work together on radio.
Even now, Polly admits she finds the topics hard to talk about because, despite her public profile and job, she is actually a very private person. But she’s chosen to bravely speak out as part of a new Woman’s Day campaign called Half It being launched in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Week (October 8-14).
Half It – derived from the saying ‘A problem shared is a problem halved’ – aims to highlight the importance of taking the time to listen to those with mental health issues.
For the next six weeks, Woman’s Day will profile well-known Kiwis who will explain how having a much-needed ear has helped them during their darkest days – and hopefully inspire readers to reach out and start a conversation with a friend you may be worried about.
In next week’s issue, Polly reveals how her producer David Rybinski has been a “much-needed ear” during her toughest times. “He’s very easy to talk to and never judgemental,” she says. “Sometimes you don’t need a solution, you just need an ear.”
One in five Kiwis experience mental health issues and there are currently 640,000 New Zealanders who have been diagnosed by a doctor with depression. October 8-14 is Mental Health Awareness Week.
For Polly’s full story, see this week’s Woman’s Day.
WHERE TO GET HELP
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 to talk to a trained Depression Helpline counsellor for free. For other mental health issues, call Lifeline on 0800 543 354, the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 TAUTOKO or Youthline on 0800 376 633.
