A stranger on a plane reminded me why hope, kindness, and mental health support matter. Discover how counselling and small gestures can make a difference.

Rusty’s story reminds us that depression isn’t a choice. Too many men are told to “man up” when what they really need is compassion and support. This powerful piece sheds light on the stigma surrounding men’s mental health—and the courage it takes to reach out for help.

Sometimes hope feels far away — but it can travel, even on the smallest gestures. From my Paper Cranes of Hope on the Sunshine Coast to those left across oceans, these tiny reminders carry a powerful message: healing is possible, and you are not alone. As a Sunshine Coast counsellor, I hold hope for my clients in therapy until they can hold it for themselves.

In this beautifully introspective piece, artist and writer Jen Parr shares her journey of masking, unmasking, and rediscovering herself through creativity. As a late-diagnosed autistic adult, Jen explores how art became her way back home—a mirror for the parts of herself she’d long hidden to survive. This is a story about identity, honesty, and the quiet, transformative power of creating simply to see yourself again.