David Gemmell

Giving a voice to a silent pandemic

my purpose

For the last couple of years, I have been writing a book on depression.

Initially, I was not aware of the sheer enormity of the problem the disease presents to society and the dreadful consequences of it when left untreated.

Astonishingly, 700 000+ people die by suicide every year, and it is increasing exponentially as unemployment, inflation, and astronomic crime levels degenerate communities.

This is a topic that should not be allowed to remain hidden.

Book me to talk to your teams on the important topic of depression and life hacks to help.

‘There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.’ — John Green, author

  • Our ancient alarm system

    There is a guard that walks beside every one of us. It has no name, no face, and yet it has saved your life more times than you will ever know. It is your ancient alarm system. Long before cities, before language shaped into poetry and law, before even the first fire was tamed, our ancestors lived in a world that was not merely difficult, it was lethal. The tall grass could hide teeth. The quiet forest might hold a…

  • Dale Carnegie and depression

    One of my all-time favourite books is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It should arguably be required reading in every educational institution. In an increasingly crowded and interconnected world, the ability to relate well to others may be one of the most essential skills we can develop. “Yes,” I hear you ask, “what has that got to do with depression?” Paradoxically, even though people are more connected than ever before, many are experiencing profound loneliness.…

  • Improving your self-esteem by mimicking giving up smoking

    The first book I wrote – published by a real publisher, not a vanity project – was about how to give up smoking. The method I outlined was simple, and it came to me during a year of studying psychology at university. Smoking is a revolting habit. It gives you bad breath, makes your clothes stink, leaves a foul taste in your mouth, makes you cough when you start, and can ultimately kill you. Yet marketers have always paired it…

You can catch david gemmell’s interview on chai fm 101.9 here

five things to know about depression

key facts

  • An estimated 3.8% of the world’s population experiences depression.
  • Women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men.
  • Depression and anxiety are estimated to cost nearly US$1-trillion annually due to lost work days (World Health Organisation – WHO).
  • Globally, more than 75% of people in low- and middle-income countries experiencing mental disorders, including depression, receive no treatment (WHO).
  • Suicide is a significant risk factor associated with depression. It is the fourth leading cause of death in 15-29 year olds.

© David Gemmell 2026

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