At the tender age of 23, Joey faced the abyss of loneliness so deeply, he tragically attempted to end the pain once and for all. Waking up six days later in the ICU, he discovered the physical cost of his anguish: his right leg. But what led this young soul to such despair? More alarmingly, Joey’s story isn’t an isolated incident. An astounding 1 in 3 Australians grapple with this gut-wrenching feeling of desolation and disconnection. Documentary filmmaking is a journey of discovery, exploration, and storytelling. Unlike fiction films, which are primarily driven by imagination and creativity, documentaries aim to depict reality, shed light on the truths of our world, or convey a particular viewpoint. The process can be both rewarding and challenging. In this special episode, Shannon Swan and Georgia Fillmore delve into Joey's harrowing journey from that fateful day to his present search for understanding. Through candid conversations, they shed light on the endemic issue of loneliness in our society, its devastating aftermath, and the imperative need for solutions.Join us as we welcome experts featured in the documentary "The Great Separation" who provide insights into the physiological, psychological, and societal aspects of loneliness. Learn about the challenges our modern world poses and discover practical ways to bridge the ever-widening gap of human connection.Please join me for a community event of connection and belonging. I am hosting a private event at the Palace Cinema, Brisbane with a screening of the documentary film The Great Separation: Ambition for a better life together by Shannon Swan, an award winning filmmaker. The star of the film is Joseph Fry. He is making a special trip to meet everyone. The film helps to show ways to end loneliness and is incredibly uplifting. Come to the event on Nov 2nd 6 pm. To find out more about the location and secure a seat please register for a ticket by clicking on the link. There are very limited seats. https://events.humanitix.com/gather-for-good-or-an-ambition-for-a-better-life-together Listen to Joey's amazing story and journey to become the star of the film on episode #151 of the Thriving Minds podcast here. Outside meeting new people and connecting, we are going to be empowering and sending off Joey to begin the next step toward his Australian Paralympics Dream: Train with the Winter Ski Training Camp in USA November 9th 2023. Otherwise please send him off with your kind and generous support. Every dollar is like a million to him, no matter how small. This will mean the world to him. As he said, if you can't, please give him a shout out as he makes his dreams come true. Link here to his GoFundme page. https://gofund.me/aeecbec5  If you can't make the event, the film is currently streaming free on-line on SBS ON Demand. With heartwarming stories of resilience and community, coupled with actionable advice, this episode is more than just a recounting of a tale. It’s a call to action – a plea to recognize, confront, and combat the epidemic of loneliness. How can we design our lives, communities, and societies to foster connection and togetherness?Listen in and let’s find a way back to each other.  Support the showSubscribe and support the podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/newLearn more at www.profselenabartlett.com