KIIS FM’s Will and Woody praised for powerful chat about depression

KIIS FM hosts Will and Woody wiped away tears during a powerful chat about Will’s depression that was aired on radio.

Radio stars Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw broke down in tears during an emotional chat about depression.

The best mates, who host KIIS FM’s national drive show, posted a video of their raw chat on Facebook yesterday for R U OK? day.

Will was diagnosed with depression five years ago and asked Woody in the video how he handles working with a depressed co-host.

“I try to, as early as possible, make sure that I’ve got the mindset of, ‘It’s nothing that you’ve done, as in me,’” Woody said.

“To talk really candidly, when you are in a dark spot it can at times feel like you’re angry at me. I try to see the depression as opposed to seeing you, I know that sounds a bit weird, but that does help me.”

Will and Woody had a powerful chat about Will's depression.

Will broke down in tears as he recalled a recent incident where he was feeling low and took it out on a room full of co-workers.

“You don’t know I heard this,” he said to Woody. “I’d obviously pissed off a whole bunch of people … and I walked out and I could hear you in there saying to everyone, ‘It wasn’t me,’ and you wanted everyone to just forgive me for how I’d been and what I’d said.”

Will thanked for his co-host for his support, saying, “I know how many bosses you’ve talked off a ledge because of how I’ve been”.

“That’s a really scary part of having a mental illness is you hate the way you treat people when you’re like that,” he continued. “It’s really key that you find people like you. It takes real strength to stay with people when they’re like that. I wanted to say thanks.”

As Woody too wiped away tears, he responded, “It’s because I love you”.

Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw have been best mates for years.

In the powerful video, which has been viewed more than 200,000 times so far, Will asked Woody what advice he would give to others who are scared of having an awkward conversation with someone who has a mental illness.

“It’s not about trying to fix it,” Woody said. “Take a baby step and start with a message like, ‘Hey, how are you going?’

RELATED: R U OK day co-founder posts suicide note after depression battle

“Don’t be the person that regrets not doing something really simple.

“The days when I hadn’t messaged you, it dawns on me pretty hard that there’s obviously an ending there that is a pretty sad ending. And I think it’s good to people to confront that, that it’s an actual possibility and just know that you never … regret having the conversation.

Woody Whitelaw revealed how he handles having a co-host with depression.

“If you just front up and just have it then you’re going to go a long way in reducing people thinking that the way out is the best way to go,” Woody said.

The video was praised on Facebook with one person commenting: “This is a video which should be shown to all teenage boys to let them know the realities of depression and how to support a mate”.

Another fan added: “I got more out of this short, candid conversation than I ever have about how to help someone who is suffering with mental health issues”.

You can watch the moving conversation below.

Best mates Will and Woody sit down to talk about Will's depression.Remember, nobody is invincible, and mental health...

Posted by Will and Woody on Thursday, September 12, 2019

If you or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636

Will and Woody airs from 4-6pm weekdays on KIIS FM