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October is Mental Health Month and World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10. As part of our support in raising awareness about mental health, we spoke with our participant Duncan to find out what it’s like to live with mental health conditions. You can meet Duncan here:
Introduction: I’m Duncan Symons, and I’m a proud father of two. I live in Melbourne and have a Bachelor of Education, Master of Education, Doctor of Education and previously lectured in STEM. I’ve spent much of my career working across both school and tertiary education settings, helping to shape the minds of young people. However, my journey hasn’t been without its challenges. I manage several mental health conditions, including generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, major depression, and ADHD. These experiences have shaped how I approach life, parenting, and work. Thanks to the support I receive through Plan Tracker and the NDIS, I’m actively working toward becoming the best version of myself. This ongoing process involves learning to balance my mental health with my responsibilities, and it’s been a transformative experience. With the right support system in place, I’m hopeful for the future and committed to personal growth, both for myself and for my children.
How long have you lived with mental illness?
I’ve lived with mental illness for as long as I can remember. I was born with ADHD, and it was pretty clear early on that I was an energetic, constantly active kid. I had all this potential academically and intellectually, but staying focused? That was always a different story. My teachers often said the same things over and over again in reports: I interrupted, I talked when I wasn’t supposed to, and I was restless.
As I got older, things didn’t necessarily get easier. ADHD stayed with me, but it also brought along some unwelcome companions—anxiety and depression. Managing all that mental noise became a daily battle, and to be honest, there were times when I turned to alcohol to self-medicate. It wasn’t the healthiest coping mechanism, but at the time, it felt like the only way to calm my mind. Looking back now, I can see how it all connected, but it took a while to understand the full scope of my mental health journey.
How does it affect your day-to-day life?
Living with my mental health issues can make day-to-day life a bit of a rollercoaster. There are times when I don’t want to do anything at all, and that can stretch into days where I barely leave my bedroom or even get out of bed. The idea of facing the world just feels overwhelming. I often isolate myself to the point where I’ll go days without seeing another person or speaking to anyone, even though I know it’s not great for my mental health.
It’s frustrating because I regularly make plans or schedule activities, trying to set myself up for success. But when the time comes, I just can’t follow through. It’s like I’m stuck, unable to act on what I’d set out to do. On top of that, I’m constantly losing things—my keys, wallet, glasses, remote control—you name it, I’ve misplaced it. ADHD makes keeping track of these basic things feel like an impossible task sometimes.
And then there’s the mental loop. I often get stuck ruminating on past events or regrets, replaying them over and over in my head. It’s hard to let go, and it only adds to my anxiety, especially when I’ve got something coming up—whether it’s a meeting, a social event, or even just running an errand. Speaking of social events, that’s where my anxiety really kicks in. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries—they’re supposed to be fun, but for me, they often trigger panic. The idea of being in a crowd, making small talk, or just showing up feels like an unbearable weight.
It’s a constant juggling act, trying to manage all these moving parts while also just trying to get through the day.
What do you wish people knew about what it’s like to live with mental illness?
Living with mental illness is a lot like managing any other health condition, but unfortunately, the way society views it can make things much harder. I really wish people understood that mental health should be treated like any other health issue. You wouldn’t dismiss someone for having diabetes or asthma, right? But for some reason, when it comes to mental health, there’s still this stigma that makes it difficult to talk about openly. It’s not just about feeling a bit down or anxious now and then—it’s about dealing with something that affects your daily life, like any other chronic illness would.
What makes it worse is that the stigma often leads to people like me, and so many others, feeling like we can’t be open about our struggles. It’s tough when you don’t feel comfortable talking about your mental health with friends or family because you worry they might not understand or, worse, judge you. That isolation feeds into the cycle of loneliness and self-loathing. You start to feel like you’re alone in this battle, which can make the mental illness itself even more overwhelming.
A lot of people also don’t realize that mental health issues can’t just be “fixed” with medication. Yes, medication can help, but for most of us, it’s not a magic cure. Managing mental health is about finding the right balance between several things: medication, sure, but also therapy, having strong social connections, and making sure you’re living in a safe and supportive environment. You also need purpose and meaning in life—whether it’s through work, hobbies, or relationships—because that’s what keeps you grounded and gives you something to hold onto during the hard days.
What’s important to remember is that living with mental illness is often a lifelong journey. It’s not about being “broken” or “fixed,” but about finding ways to manage, cope, and still live a meaningful life, despite the challenges. If more people understood that, maybe the conversation around mental health would change for the better.
What have you found helpful?
One of the biggest things I’ve learned when it comes to managing my mental health is that it’s crucial to seek professional help early. I’ve worked with GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors over the years, and each of them has played a part in helping me understand my mental health better. The key for me is not waiting until things are unbearable. It’s tempting to put off asking for help until you’re at your lowest, but by then, it can feel like you’re just drowning. I’ve realized that being proactive is really important.
For me, there are some early warning signs that I try to watch for. When I stop looking after myself, like skipping meals or letting my personal hygiene slip, or if I start resisting leaving the house, those are red flags. Another big one is when I let routine tasks pile up. Dishes, laundry, bills—they all just seem to build into this mountain that feels impossible to tackle. And once it reaches that point, it can feel overwhelming, like I’ve lost control of my life.
That’s why I always try to remind myself not to go through this alone. I used to think that dealing with it on my own was the only way, but that just isn’t sustainable. Having people around you—whether it’s family, friends, or even just one person you trust—makes a massive difference. Sometimes just talking about what you’re going through can relieve some of the pressure, and other times, they might offer a perspective you hadn’t thought of. It’s about utilizing the support you already have rather than isolating yourself further.
So, for me, it’s a combination: professional support, paying attention to those early warning signs, and leaning on the people I trust when I need to. It’s not easy, but it’s made a real difference in how I manage my mental health.
You can find some great resources and support here: