Editor's letter

COURAGEOUS women speaking out has been a theme for the magazine in recent weeks.

COURAGEOUS women speaking out has been a theme for the magazine in recent weeks.

First there was trainee medic Veronica Wadley revealing her battle with the Australian Defence Force (we had a big response to this story; see letters). This week it's former South Australian senator Mary Jo Fisher. Unlike Veronica, whose rape and subsequent discharge from the ADF unfolded behind the scenes, Fisher unravelled in a very public way: shoplifting, assault, court cases, media coverage and her resignation last year from the Senate, all while battling depression and bipolar II disorder. Fisher now feels strong enough to talk publicly about her experience and as Beyondblue chief executive Kate Carnell says, high-profile people telling their stories is a powerful way to encourage and inspire others.