Watch: Otis Carey // The Common Thread
In recent times there's been a movement to tackle mental health head on and it's inverting the old notion of the media celebrity. Especially, for instance, the sports celebrity, so talented in one aspect of their life but elevated by sponsors as the complete package: virtuous, sound of mind, perpetually chipper, and thereby forced to live a lie. It's not a healthy position for anyone, let alone someone in the public eye.
And that's where the recent discourse about honesty sweeps in, allowing people to say 'this is who I really am' and avoid the fabrication. Ironically, without the facade the public makes a more profound connection than they ever could have via a scripted image.
Byron Bay surfer and filmmaker Darius Devas has been working on a series of videos called 'Being Here' that addresses such matters, and fittingly, it's NAIDOC week after all, the first cab off the rank is Otis Carey. It's a compelling five minutes of film and I urge you to watch and share.
Stay tuned next week for a discussion with Darius.
Comments
A true legend. Keep charging Otis! An inspiring example for anyone struggling, especially kids/adolescents... Great stuff swellnet and stu for sharing.
Really impressive stuff. Great to witness such honesty. More power to the project. Looking forward to the interview.
Well done, Otis.
I have a mental illness and I hate it, the cost to me is NO family and NO friends.
such a long path travelled alone
the STIGMA which follows me around is worse then the black hole I live in.
SURFING HAS KEPT ME GOING, IT KEEPS MY DEPRESSION IN CHECK AND GIVES ME A REASON TO GET UP EVERY MORNING.
Hey mate, where do you live?, come surfing with the locals
"It's okay to feel shit. It's totally fine, we all feel shit. Just talk about it."
Fantastic video.
Nice piece about a sensitive, intelligent, articulate young man. Depression- who hasn't this evil illness touched at some stage.
Great video , thanks !
Wow.
Thank you.
honesty.....integrity....Otis Carey.
Good story and thanks to all for the forum
Problem is it's so hard to see mental illness
A problem shared. Is a problem halved.
That was was awesome. Great message really nicely produced, good on you Otis and the filmmakers.
Great, thanks
Here’s some advice for free.
Take heed or not.
Grief, shock , trauma and depression are genuine and necessary reactions to the trials of life. But there is no need to prolong or deepen any sadness through poor lifestyle choices.
If you are feeling anxious, unstable or down , focus on the ways you can stem the bleed of positive energy.
Eat well. Eradicate all stimulants and mood altering substances. This means everything from sugar to caffeine to alcohol to mull. Eat only fresh , live and healthy ingredients. Avoid all processed foods ....everything man made including bread .
So many mental issues originate or are exacerbated and perpetuated by poor stomach and digestive health. Look after your gut flora . Research this if you wish to heal yourself.
I’d go as far as to say that I believe MOST periods of extended melancholy and exaggerations of natural mental distress are due to poor diet.
Get plenty of exercise . Spend as much time amongst nature as possible. Surround yourself with positive people and consciously think positive thoughts.
Take time to breathe. Concentrate on the immediacy of breath.
It’s hard when you’re down , but you’ve got to find reasons to be grateful.
Life is beautiful ,but it doesn’t always seem that way.
Good luck in finding your happy place.....but sometimes you’ve got to build your happy place from the ground up. From scratch with sweat and effort.
Power to you.
Great film. Thanks Darius for making it and thanks Otis for the wise words.