Jonno Seidler: breaking the silence around men's mental health

Ray Seidler was a brilliant doctor and a family man, whose secret struggle with depression ultimately claimed his life. Now his son Jonathan is helping to change the story when it comes to his own mental illness (CW: mentions suicide, drug use) 

When Ray Seidler would walk through the streets of Kings Cross, everyone wanted to stop and have a chat - from homeless people, to sex workers, film actors and lawyers. 

Ray was one of Sydney's most loved doctors, and a man of great compassion and charm. He had set up his his practice in the late 1970s and stayed committed to the neighbourhood for the next 35 years.

To outsiders, it may have looked as if Ray had a lucky life.

He lived in a wealthy area of the city with his beautiful wife and four children and he was the nephew of the famous architect Harry Seidler.

But behind closed doors Ray was locked in a herculean struggle with his own mental health. His regular bouts of depression caused him to regularly 'run away' from his own home and family, and eventually led to his suicide. 

Ray's son Jonno has written about his father's life, and his own mental health diagnosis, which he's been determined not to keep secret.

Further information

It's a Shame about Ray is published by Allen and Unwin

Presenter: Sarah Kanowski

Producer: Nicola Harrison

Executive producer: Carmel Rooney

To binge even more great episodes of the ‘Conversations podcast’ with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, singers, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.