Black dog book to help mental health

After decades of dealing with depression, a creative is looking to offer support to those experiencing similar struggles.

Diagnosed in his teenage years, Justin “Hap” Hayward always found art to be “a lifesaver” in coping.

“To collaborate with your depression, it’s not going anywhere and it goes along the ride with you,” he said.

“But in accepting it’s there, I’ve decided to use it and collaborate with it to keep me able to work and live with it.”

Primarily known as a fixture in Victoria’s music scene for decades, Hayward’s creativity extends to drawing, a practice he’s putting to use with a comic collection tackling depression.

Called Yo! Depresso! The Black Dog Sessions, the book features nearly 40 single-page cartoons portraying Hayward engaging with a black dog which represents his depression.

The allegory of a dark-furred canine representing one’s dark moods has seen many iterations following its credited popularisation by former British prime minister Winston Churchill.

“It’s been done considerably by cartoonists in the past so this is my version of it, to attack a serious subject with humour,” Hayward said.

“I grew up with a lot of cartoons and comics like [New Zealand comic strip] Footrot Flats, so the dog has always been around, and definitely the Garfield series was an inspiration.”

Hayward initially created the pieces to enter into mental health art competitions during lockdown, but felt the need to put the work out there to hopefully help others.

“I’m constantly reminded mental health issues, particularly statistics among boys and young men, is extraordinarily bad,” he said.

“It’s a constant reminder to me of where I’ve come from and what I’ve tried to do. I just felt like doing something with this and putting it out there.

“Everyone’s journey with depression is different and this is my unique one using humour. It won’t relate to everybody, but I thought it was worth taking a shot.”

The Black Dog Sessions is being published through KWR Press, and is available to purchase at Hayward’s Kank Wolverang Records business in Ballarat for $10.

Proceeds from sales will go towards Ballarat Men’s Mental Health, as well as other mental health services where Hayward also hopes to stock the book.

The work will also be available at the merch table during Hayward’s concerts.