General News
10 November, 2023
One step at a time
Dimboola filmmaker Luke Launer has shared his story about how juggling the multiple balls that his career trajectory required left his mental health in tatters, in the hopes of helping others recognise their own struggles. As is the case with many...
Dimboola filmmaker Luke Launer has shared his story about how juggling the multiple balls that his career trajectory required left his mental health in tatters, in the hopes of helping others recognise their own struggles.
As is the case with many of us, Mr Launer said he was always busy doing “something”, and didn’t realise the effect his lifestyle had on his health.
“I was flying with my filmmaking career, and was extremely busy with multiple projects going on at the time,” he said.
“I was never idle.”
While working on his new film Snap Factory, Mr Launer said he was travelling to locations across Victoria and, in his words, “never stopped working.”
“One day, out of the blue, everything - and I mean everything - went down the drain,” he said.
“I crashed and burned hard.
“Everything came to a grinding halt, the brakes came on, and that was it.
“It got so bad that I couldn’t even pick up a pen and paper to write.
“It shut me down completely.”
What followed were, as Mr Launer describes it, some of the hardest years of his life.
“A deep, dark depression set in and would not go away,” he said.
“That was the lowest point of my life.”
After experiencing periods of uncontrollable crying and thoughts of self-harm, Mr Launer sought professional help and was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, burnout and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
“I remember standing outside a petrol station after coming back from a trip with my partner, and just stopping in the middle near my car,” he said.
“I felt like a man defeated.”
Mr Launer said his OCD diagnosis explained his need to constantly try and outdo himself in an attempt to gain the recognition he “so badly wanted”, and said the disorder was “not fun” - one he “wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy” - but that it is now something he is managing.
“I still have a semi-normal life,” he said.
“I hadn’t ever stopped to consider and have compassion for people with (mental illness),
“I have more of an insight and respect for it now.
“I’ve learnt a lot and have received a lot of help.”
Mr Launer said he was feeling better than he had been, but that he wanted people to know that mental health was no joke, and self-care should be a priority.
“Always take the time for yourself and look after yourself,” he said.
“I’m guilty of neglecting my mental health - I didn’t have the time.
“I used to push it deep down and say ‘Come on, deal with it. You haven’t got time to be sick’ until one day it happened to me.”
Since returning to live at Dimboola, Mr Launer said he is finding things easier - he is better able to focus on his work, away from the hustle and bustle of Bendigo, and is enjoying getting back to what he loved.
“I’m getting so much more work done now, which is a great thing,” he said.
“All this stuff I’ve been building up to over the years will finally see the light of day, and that brings a huge smile to my face.
“I can’t wait; it will be like a huge weight off my shoulders.”
Mr Launer said the experience has changed his outlook on life, and encourages people who may be struggling not to put off seeking help.
“It can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of if you think you are healthy and nothing can stop you,” he said.
“Things do get a lot better, even if it’s hard to see that at the time.
“Give yourself the time you need to heal properly and eliminate pressure.
“It really is about taking one step at a time.”