Video Transcription
My life has completely altered since X Factor. I mean, you kind of go from this ordinary person, busking on the streets or trying to get your voice heard, to a person who’s singing to millions of people each Sunday on live television.
My name is Omar. I’m 20 years of age from Melbourne, Victoria. My experiences with depression and lacking confidence were mainly throughout high school. I was really passionate about music, and I tried to let my voice be heard, but the response wasn’t great when I first started.
Omar Dean Lifeline’s Crisis Chat Ambassador
I remember posting my first few videos, and they went viral—but for all the wrong reasons. They went viral for being bad, for all the abusive comments and dislikes on the videos. So, it was really hard receiving that response, and it destroyed my confidence a lot.
At points, I was hospitalized because of so much anxiety, and I had panic attacks all the time. It got to a point where something needed to be done—I couldn’t just hold it in, or I knew I was going to burst.
Eventually, I decided it might be appropriate to talk to someone who was an expert in that field. So, I saw the school counselor on a regular basis, about once a week. It took a lot of guts to open up and tell someone. I remember walking home that day, and I felt free. You feel like you are free when you let go of all that and tell someone about it. It’s not putting the problem on them; it’s just sharing it.
Just knowing that someone is listening, before they even give you advice, makes you feel at ease.
If I had given up when I went through that, then I wouldn’t be sitting here right now. I wouldn’t have achieved half of my dreams. I wouldn’t be able to inspire people. I would just be miserable, and God knows where I’d be.
Life is great. No, seriously, life is great. I couldn’t ask for anything more in the world. I’m so content with where I’m at right now.
If you’re not coping, Lifeline’s online support chat service can help you. This is a free, confidential service available every night from 8:00 p.m. Search “Crisis Chat.”
Video by Lifeline
