Scott Morrison says he took medication for anxiety while he was prime minister

By Jake Evans & David Lipson, ABC

Former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has revealed he was treated with medication for anxiety while serving as the nation's leader.

Morrison shared an extract of his forthcoming book to The Australian, where he wrote that he experienced "debilitating and agonising" anxiety during much of his time as prime minister, and that he would have become seriously depressed without medication.

Beyond Blue estimates one in four Australians are affected by anxiety, and politicians are not immune, but mental health issues are still rarely made public in federal politics.

In a book Morrison says explores how faith intersected with his time as leader, he wrote that the toll of the job had worn on him, and his waves of anxiety had become acute.

"My doctor was amazed I had lasted as long as I had before seeking help," Morrison wrote.

"Without this help, serious depression would have manifested. What impacted me was the combination of pure physical exhaustion with the unrelenting and callous brutality of politics and media attacks.

• Read more: The House - How NZ MPs cope with strains of the job
• Politicians back calls for mental health supports at Parliament
• Mental health experts urge stronger protections at Parliament

"As a politician, I know this goes with the territory. That's not a complaint or even an accusation. It's just reality. Politicians are not made of stone, yet they're often treated as though they are, including by each other."

Morrison told the ABC his Christian faith had also served as a major aid for him.

"The meds were helpful, but faith for me has always been the major ingredient," Morrison said.

In a post on social media, Morrison said he was sharing his experiences to normalise a common issue for many Australians.

He also told the ABC he wanted to make clear that politicians can have mental health issues and still perform their jobs.

"Because I sought help I was fully functional. [It is] important that people understand that this doesn't have to hold you back. I went on to land AUKUS in the midst of this," Morrison said.

A few politicians have disclosed their own mental health struggles after leaving politics, including another former prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, who said he had suicidal thoughts the first time he was ousted as Liberal leader.

Former trade minister Andrew Robb made an even rarer disclosure of his own mental health issues while still serving as an MP, and said at the time while many colleagues were supportive he also faced stigma and doubt from others.

Speaking on Channel Nine, former treasurer Wayne Swan said politicians should be open about mental health.

"It's relentless, it's 24/7. They're high-pressure jobs and there is a risk to health with that pressure," Swan said.

"There are many people who have been in that position [like Morrison], and the more we talk about it the better, I think leaders need understanding and people need to understand that leaders can be under pressure."

- ABC

Where to get help:

• Anxiety NZ helpline 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)
• Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
• What's Up: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm
• Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.
• Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
• Healthline: 0800 611 116

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.