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The sea laps onto a rocky coastline which curves around to tree-covered cliffs. The Australia Post logo sits in a corner.
White text reads, "David volunteers his time as a Beyond Blue Speaker, sharing his journey with mental health to help others. We hope his story of connection is inspiring for you too."
Flowing music.
On a garden patio, a man with a white beard sits holding a black poodle. He's interviewed in a sitting room.
David Corduff:
My name is David Corduff. I'm a retired businessman. My passion is volunteering for organisations where I can hopefully make a little bit of a difference.
David sits and chats with his white-haired wife. They walk the dog along a tree-lined path, then a beach.
David Corduff:
First bout of depression came as a result of a retrenchment in my 30s. From there on, things didn't work out particularly well. I found myself losing interest in day-to-day things, sleeping poorly, my appetite had gone. I found a job that I should have been able to do easily became very, very stressful. I ended up in the hands of a psychiatrist and on medication to try and just stabilise me.
Smiling, David walks hand-in-hand with the woman. At home, they video call with a child.
David Corduff:
I went to see a whole series of different mental health professionals to try and find a cure. I realised maybe it's all about managing the depression. I used to be very reserved about anybody knowing how I was going because I was a bloke and I'm not supposed to feel down. And I realised as I got better, it was extremely important to maintain contact with people and also acknowledge the support of my family.
David goes through a box of family party photos. On a terrace, he laughs with his wife.
David Corduff:
My 60th was a very seminal day in my life. There were about 30 people there and the doors opened and it was "Happy birthday!" and I just froze. I thought, "No! God. I just don't want to be here. I don't want to do the social thing." My daughter basically, for want of a better description, outed me. She said, "I just want to tell you about Dad and his struggles over the last few years." There was a relief. A weight seemed to lift off my shoulders. I feel quite different now about being open and having whatever it takes to talk about mental illness.
In an office foyer, David and a white-haired man talk in a sitting area.
David Corduff:
Something I'm really passionate about is that guys need to communicate, not just on a minor level, just about themselves. I feel very lucky in terms of the voluntary stuff I'm doing now and I've got the facility of being able to talk to audiences. The more I sense that people get some sort of a message out of what I'm doing, the more energy it gives me.
As the sun sets, David and his wife gaze out to sea.
David Corduff:
I'm making a connection for me and it's part of my recovery too. You don't know whether you make a difference to people, but I'm sure as heck not going to stop trying.
On a white screen text reads, "Proud partner, Beyond Blue. beyondblue.org.au, 1300 22 4636."
The Beyond Blue logo is a red and orange butterfly.
The white Australia Post logo appears on a red screen.
Text reads, "When we connect we feel better."
Flowing music.
