"If my body and brain were a business proposition - I would issue shares as follows: 49% to the GP, psychologist, psychiatrist and pharmaceutical. Yes you guessed it: I will retain 51% of them - 51% ownership of the problem also comes with 100% responsibility for my own actions" - If I had it my way: No longer will a patient go to the doctor and say: "Doc, please fix me, give me something, I can't bear this pain". Conversely: How can WE solve this problem Doc? This is more in-tune with the proposed strategy.

The speaker has experienced a very successful career in the Triple-International Rugby Union for 21 years, followed by mental illness for the last 22 years (undiagnosed for 8 years and then diagnosed with bipolar II disorder for the last 14 years). After retirement in 1988, depressive and manic episodes became the norm. The "stigma" surrounding mental illness ensued. Once a very productive elite athlete and working family man for many years, those qualities became elusive dissipating with the onset of bipolar disorder, leaving an insecure, low self esteem, anti-social and confused creature.

An attitudinal change from "ignorance and stigmatisation" to new found awareness and on-going mental health management is needed. As mental health is everybody's business, a collaborative teamwork-effect between patient, science, GP's, psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmaceuticals, employers, friends and carers is a must.

Restoring societal and cultural order, achieving meaningfulness of life through building resilience and self-esteem, improving employability, enhancing social-ability, wellbeing plans, education and responsibility and new horizons are a must.

The speaker will present the benefits of unprecedented mental health, stability, productivity and creativity. This vital cycle is complete only when the formula is shared freely with other consumers in the community. Yes, let it go!

The common thread between those years dedicated to International rugby and now dedicated to mental health management are about taking responsibility for one's own actions and thorough preparation. A stellar career on the former could well be translated to the latter, time will tell!