The best thing Denis Slattery ever did was ask for help.
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As his marriage began to breakdown, the father-of-two began to fall into the clutches of depression.
"When I first realised things weren't quite right, I tried to keep everything to myself," he said.
"I was at work one day and I was starting to think about things. I noticed I had tears in my eyes and I thought 'what's going on here?'
"My marriage was falling apart and in those intense conversations we were having, I couldn't say anything.
"I knew there was something wrong and it was starting to get worse."
In an attempt to keep his problems private, Mr Slattery began to isolate himself; which only made the matter worse.
"I didn't want to associate with people but at the same time when I was by myself I wished I had someone to talk to," he said.
"It was very hard to go to events. I felt like people were looking at me and I couldn't wait to get out.
"I'd be down the street and see some of my really good friends and I'd avoid them.
"I'd go to bed and I couldn't sleep even though I was exhausted."
For blokes it can be really hard to say something. We put on this front of being tough. But that's not true; we're no different to anyone else, we just have trouble expressing ourselves
- Denis Slattery
The former Terang football player and avid supporter, Mr Slattery's childhood was never once visited by the black dog.
After the breakdown of his marriage, he said 'it felt like I had a little voice in my ear telling me 'I'm a loser' and that's what I felt.'
Eventually Mr Slattery was able to seek help through a counsellor and urges others to speak up.
"It was a big relief off my shoulders," he said.
"I got counselling for a while and now I don't have any trouble talking about my mental health.
"If I know someone's having trouble, a simple text is sometimes all they need. It's hard to talk about without feeling like you're sticking your nose in but people always appreciate it.
"It's so important to open up and tell someone you're going through a hard time, even if it's just a little bit hard.
"For blokes it can be really hard to say something. We put on this front of being tough.
"But that's not true; we're no different to anyone else, we just have trouble expressing ourselves.
"I don't know if I'll ever beat it, but I'm in a good place now."
Mr Slattery will be joining his daughter Jess at her dinner event to raise money for the Top Blokes Foundation who's mission is to improve young men's health and well-being.
The event will be held at Clovelly Restaurant on Friday, November 29.
When tickets sell out, Miss Slattery will continue collecting donations for the foundation.
To find out more call 5561 1415.
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