december 18 - 24 | 2013
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Delivering hope
OUT AND ABOUT:
Kurt Saggers enjoys being out in the community and sharing his story. PHOTO: Kylie Wilson
GARDENING WITH
MIKE
RSPCA
WITH
RYLEY
inside page 7
FILM
ANCHORMAN 2:
THE LEGEND CONTINUES
WINE TALK WITH
ANITA
By KYLIE WILSON KURT Saggers, who lives with bipolar, is the first to admit his experiences with mental illness have put him through a lot – but they have also blessed him with opportunities to change his life and help others. “I’ve been through the wringer,” he said, relaxing in Wangaratta’s King George Gardens. “My first experience with mental ill health was when I was 19. “I had a drug induced psychosis and I went to Kerferd Clinic in Beechworth.” Kurt said it was one of the darker periods of his life, and a worrying time for both himself and his family. “It was just a scary time, we all went through hell,” he said, lamenting how attitudes to mental health were far different in his youth. “Back in the day, having a mental illness was seen as a weakness.” Treatment and recovery enabled Kurt to establish his own business, The Cat’s Pyjamas, in the early 2000s, making beanbags for events and to sell in a store. But soon enough, work and life pressures built to a point where he realised he once again needed help, and Kurt said he struggled with social anxiety and depression for two years from 2007. It was at this time he came into contact with people from local Mind Australia services, including using their home based outreach services, and he has volunteered as part of their ‘Ambassadors of Hope’ program for the past 18 months. continued page |
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