Salvation Army spokesman Major Philip Maxwell says the main aim of the project is to directly respond to the suicide crisis in rural Australia.

He highlights that the clear message is that help is out there for depression and it can be managed successfully. Filmmaker - and member of The Salvation Army - Anna Rudd created the Braver, Stronger, Wiser DVD after someone she knew considered taking their life.

Many celebrities are supporting The Salvation Army’s anti-depression initiative including Peter Cosgrove, Melinda Schneider, Andrew Gaze, Stuart Diver, Jack Thompson, Anne Kirkpatrick (daughter of the legendary Slim Dusty), Neil Murray, Troy Cassar-Daley, Graeme Connors, Deborah Hutton, Ita Buttrose and John Williamson.

The DVD shows how depression can be beaten and tackles other issues such as anxiety, panic attacks and posttraumatic stress. Around one million adults and 100,000 young people live with depression each year. Depression costs the Australian community more than $600 million. The Salvation Army says there is strong demand for its services from people in rural Australia.

“It’s deeply alarming to see what is happening in the bush right now. Depression is a very real issue in regional Australia. We are targeting depression head on with this project because it is vital rural Australia gets a hand with this issue,” said the Salvation Army’s Lieutenant-Colonel James Condon.

“Some communities are feeling abandoned and isolated. We have to create a situation where people start to realise depression can be a ‘normal experience’ and that if it’s happening to you, you are not crazy... you can lead a fulfilling existence.”