I've moved around a lot in my life. My parents were missionaries, from Australia. But I was born and brought up in India. I remember being sent away to boarding school by steam train when I was little. I didn't see my parents for months at a time.

When I was sixteen, I went back to Australia. This turned out to be traumatic - a huge culture shock. But I got by, and went to university. While I was there the chance came up to work as a journalist on a country newspaper, and I just took it. From then on my career took off. It's been very demanding, but I've had some great jobs, working in Australia, New Zealand and London.

My depression hit me pretty suddenly... but then I think I had depression for years before I realised it. It was one morning, after an intense crisis in a relationship. I woke up and had no short-term memory. It was really distressing.

I went on anti-depressants, but I ditched them when I went back to work. I didn't want anyone to know what was happening. I just battled on - until I hit another relationship crisis. Then I buckled.  In fact I tried to kill myself. But somehow I managed to convince the psychiatrist I'd just been impulsive, and went back to work as though nothing had happened.

I was still hiding what was really happening. It was quite a while later that I finally admitted I needed help. It hasn't been easy, the whole process of getting treatment - and I hope I never have to go into hospital again. But medication has helped, therapy has helped, and people have helped. I think I'm finally moving on.

Discrimination: my experience: I think the stigma around mental health had a huge effect on me. I was convinced I should be able to manage.  I saw my problems as a weakness, not an illness, and felt I shouldn't have to rely on drugs. Stigma like that is a really dangerous thing.  In fact, it can kill people, because it stops you getting the help you need. And it makes you hide what's happening: I didn't tell anyone at work for years. The truth is that even the nicest, most educated people can be really badly informed and closed minded about mental health problems. You never know what their reaction will be, so you just play it safe.

find out more about discrimination and attitudes.

tell your story if you have experienced discrimination on the grounds of mental health.