Bob Eden is on a mission to eradicate suicide.
The Whitsunday-based fitter-turner turned folk singer and author is set to release his first book ‘The Gift of Depression, My Little Scrap Book’ with one mission in mind: sharing his story to save even just one life.
“Every 40 seconds, someone dies because of depression, and they do not have to. I am living proof of that,” Bob said.
“I believe that by sharing our stories, we can help to heal each other.”
Born in England, Bob had a turbulent childhood with an absent father and a violent mother. It left him with untrue lessons about his life which led him to an eventual battle with depression and anxiety.
“In 1984, three o’clock in the morning, I had my first panic attack. I went to the doctor and was put into the western medical model and I was in that for 20 years. Different antidepressants, psychiatrists, psychologists,” Bob said.
“That was my dance with depression. I could not understand it; but I do now”
Far from England and having lived in the Whitsundays for almost two decades, Bob is ready to lay out the lessons of his life in written word, sharing them with the people who need them most.
His scrap book is the story of a life that vastly changed direction. From a fitter-turner to a “depression recovery specialist and men’s wellbeing advocate”, managing ships and sailing to authoring books and managing festivals, like Wintermoon – Bob Eden has done it all and come out the other side with the scars to show for it.
“It took 20 years for me to realise that I could not think my way out, I had to listen to my body, and I did,” Bob said.
“I am master and commander of my life and I take full responsibility for this life that I create. Every event that happens in my life holds a lesson for me, I just must find and learnt it.
“My book just tells my story of my journey from trauma and despair to contentment, it describes the tools I found and used to completely recover from depression.”
Bob will launch The Gift Of Depression, My Little Scrap Book at Cannonvale Library in an event emceed by Councillor Jan Clifford on November 28 at 10am.
