As a teenager in a small country town, Jai felt isolated, unsure where to turn, and burdened by struggles that seemed too heavy to carry alone. One call to Lifeline changed everything - offering safety, validation, and the reminder that she wasn’t alone. From those early moments of reaching out in a phone box, through experiences of homelessness and hardship, Jai discovered resilience, the power of support, and the importance of creating her own toolkit for managing mental health.

As a teenager in a small country town, Jai felt isolated, unsure where to turn, and burdened by struggles that seemed too heavy to carry alone. One call to Lifeline changed everything - offering safety, validation, and the reminder that she wasn’t alone. From those early moments of reaching out in a phone box, through experiences of homelessness and hardship, Jai discovered resilience, the power of support, and the importance of creating her own toolkit for managing mental health.

Holding on to Hope shares powerful stories from people who have experienced their toughest moments and found a way forward.

Hosted by Lifeline Crisis Supporter Carla, each episode explores the challenges that can lead to emotional distress, the moments that helped someone hold on, and the people, tools and experiences that supported their recovery.

Honest, hopeful and deeply human, these conversations remind us that even in the hardest moments, hope is possible.

Holding on to Hope

No matter where you are, hope and healing is always possible

On this episode of Holding on to Hope we are joined by Tim. Tim is a speaker, mentor, philanthropist, and internationally recognised leader in positive psychology and mental health. From the outside, Tim built a successful career and meaningful life, but privately he was struggling with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts for many years. 

Tim first noticed changes in his mental health as a teenager, with his distress intensifying after leaving school and continuing through early adulthood, including suicide attempts and periods of profound grief and loss. Despite this, he went on to build a family, a career, and a life of purpose. 

Today, Tim shares his story to remind others that they’re not alone, that recovery is possible, and that reaching out for support can make all the difference.

On this episode of Holding on to Hope we are joined by Tim. Tim is a speaker, mentor, philanthropist, and internationally recognised leader in positive psychology and mental health. From the outside, Tim built a successful career and meaningful life, but privately he was struggling with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts for many years. Tim first noticed changes in his mental health as a teenager, with his distress intensifying after leaving school and continuing through early adulthood, including suicide attempts and periods of profound grief and loss. Despite this, he went on to build a family, a career, and a life of purpose. Today, Tim shares his story to remind others that they&rsquo;re not alone, that recovery is possible, and that reaching out for support can make all the difference.

Distress and Success Can Exist Together

On this episode of Holding on to Hope, Rochelle, founder of the fashion label Rocky Rafaela, a brand born from resilience, creativity, and an extraordinary journey of survival. 

From a young age, Rochelle experienced significant trauma and struggled with feeling misunderstood and alone. As a teenager, she faced severe mental health challenges, including addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, and multiple suicide attempts, spending long periods in hospital care. 

A turning point came when she reconnected with creativity. Through design, she found a way to express her pain, rebuild her identity, and imagine a different future. 

Today, Rochelle uses her work to transform life’s experiences and emotions into purpose, helping others feel seen, empowered, and confident.

On this episode of Holding on to Hope, Rochelle, founder of the fashion label Rocky Rafaela, a brand born from resilience, creativity, and an extraordinary journey of survival. From a young age, Rochelle experienced significant trauma and struggled with feeling misunderstood and alone. As a teenager, she faced severe mental health challenges, including addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, and multiple suicide attempts, spending long periods in hospital care. A turning point came when she reconnected with creativity. Through design, she found a way to express her pain, rebuild her identity, and imagine a different future. Today, Rochelle uses her work to transform life&rsquo;s experiences and emotions into purpose, helping others feel seen, empowered, and confident.

The Same Fire Built My Success

On this episode of Holding on to Hope, we’re joined by Michael, an accredited social worker, therapist, and founder of Lived Experience Solutions. 

Michael grew up in Egypt, where from a young age he cared for both of his parents in a culture where suicide was heavily stigmatised and rarely spoken about. 

After the loss of his mother to suicide in Egypt, he later migrated to Australia carrying grief, silence, and the weight of cultural messages about masculinity, suffering, and help-seeking. 


In time, Michael reached a point where he sought support through Lifeline; a moment that helped him begin speaking openly about what he had been carrying. 


In this episode, Michael reflects on caregiving, migration, suicide bereavement, stigma, and what it means to reach out when you have been taught to stay silent. He also shares what hope can look like when life has felt impossible to hold alone.

On this episode of Holding on to Hope, we’re joined by Michael, an accredited social worker, therapist, and founder of Lived Experience Solutions. Michael grew up in Egypt, where from a young age he cared for both of his parents in a culture where suicide was heavily stigmatised and rarely spoken about. After the loss of his mother to suicide in Egypt, he later migrated to Australia carrying grief, silence, and the weight of cultural messages about masculinity, suffering, and help-seeking. In time, Michael reached a point where he sought support through Lifeline; a moment that helped him begin speaking openly about what he had been carrying. In this episode, Michael reflects on caregiving, migration, suicide bereavement, stigma, and what it means to reach out when you have been taught to stay silent. He also shares what hope can look like when life has felt impossible to hold alone.

No matter where you are, hope and healing is always possible

In 1 playlist(s)

Holding on to Hope

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips