Ellies fundraiser

Help me make it meaningful

Hi I’m Ellie Hogan. I’ve decided to advocate for the Black Dog team in raising funds for mental health. Since I can remember I’ve grown up around mental health. The people I lived with had always struggled in their own personal wellbeing. From a young age I understood bipolar, depression, and anxiety. As I began high school I too began to struggle. It started with just panic attacks when leaving the house. But gradually began getting worse. By the end of year 9 I had no motivation to do anything. Showering, eating, socialising, it was all a challenge. Later that year I was diagnosed with depression and spent a lot of time at hospitals, doctors, and driving across the state for appointments. I felt extremely worthless. I always wanted to be the one in my family who wasn’t going to struggle, who could hold everyone else together. My life very suddenly changed and it impacted me strongly. One day someone said to me “The only way you can begin to get better is if you make the effort”. I thought this was a load of bull. Because I couldn’t even stay clean or change my clothes, how was I going to get better? It took months to find the motivation, but everyday I thought of what that person said. Gradually, I did get better. Starting small like making my bed, just to get right back into it. Or showering but putting on dirty clothes again. It was the small things. Eventually I was able to go out again, and sleep in my own room rather than having to sleep with mum. It’s been nearly a year since I hit rock bottom. I’ve come such a long way and I know everyone else can as well. The thoughts and sad times are always still there, and life is very much a roller coaster. I’m not fully recovered from the things I do and don’t talk about, but I’m definitely getting there. Some days are better than others. My story shows that you truly can be okay as long as you make the effort. Team Black Dog supports people in times were they need it to boost their mental health. I will be doing at least an hour of exercise everyday to help raise awareness. Any donation is greatly appreciated, or even helping to raise awareness if you can. Thankyou, Ellie.