Osher’s honest advice to Western Sydney students

Osher Gunsberg talks to parents and carers of students at Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta

Trigger warning: This article includes discussion of suicide and may be triggering to some readers.

At a special event at St John Paul ll Catholic College Nirimba Fields campus, Osher Günsberg shared his powerful personal story of living with anxiety and managing addiction.

The charismatic celebrity gave a frank account of his journey towards wellbeing to a gathering of secondary school students and their parents from across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

Osher is one of Australia’s most recognisable media personalities and has been a guest in the living rooms of Australians for nearly two decades through programs including Australian Idol and The Bachelor. He also creates powerful conversations surrounding addiction, mental health and wellbeing in sharing his personal story against the backdrop of an extensive and successful media career.

Osher said coming to the auditorium in the Blacktown area reminded him of discovering peace in performance during a skit at primary school. He spoke about struggling to find meaning at school.

“High school isn’t for everybody, it sure wasn’t for me,” said Osher, explaining that he dropped out of his Catholic high school and became a roadie. Reflecting on his experience of school, Osher said: “I like to think the education system is different now.”

More than a year after leaving school, his high school guidance counsellor unexpectedly called him to tell him about a new TAFE course in contemporary music.

“The intervention of that educator changed my life,” Osher acknowledged. “Educators like that change kids’ lives.”

This opportunity taught Osher a life lesson that would go on to prepare him for success in the entertainment industry.

“If I worked hard at something that I loved, I’d excel every time,” Osher said. “I could outwork anybody.”

Despite going on to fame through the extraordinary success of Australian Idol, Osher was already struggling with substance abuse. He referred to the teachings of Alcoholics Anonymous as part of his strategy for managing addiction, including drug and alcohol abuse.

“I’ve been a blackout drunk since the age of 14,” he shared.

Osher Gunsberg talks to parents and carers of students at Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta

Osher also told listeners that his low points included paranoid delusions and thoughts about taking his own life. He encouraged people in crisis to talk to others by explaining that talking to a doctor and his brothers helped him through this difficult time.

“It just stacks up on me like a Jenga tower of fear but if I break it up into little bits it’s easier to deal with,” Osher said.

Osher shared practical coping strategies with a strong focus on acceptance. This included teaching the audience a simple breathing exercise and reminding everyone that “most things without treatment will spiral out of control.” Osher spoke about the importance of sleep, eating well, staying active and being deliberate about informing yourself. Osher also impressed upon his listeners how important being a parent is in his life.

“Some days are still really hard but I know that I can cope and I know that I will cope,” Osher said.

Thoughtful questions from students were a particular highlight of the event. Several parents thanked Osher for sharing his story, speaking powerfully about the importance of adolescent mental health.

Mum Kiery, who has children at St Columba’s Catholic College Springwood and Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park, felt Osher’s speech was full of powerful messages for her children.

“It was amazing to hear how he could articulate his own struggles and overcome them,” Kiery said.

“I really liked how he connected to a lot of the kids here,” Kiery’s son Noah enthused.

Osher Gunsberg talks to parents and carers of students at Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta

The event was organised by the Parramatta Parent Representative Council (PRC). PRC is the representative body for parents and carers of students at Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta’s 80 great local schools.

Learn more about the PRC

Parramatta Parent Representative Council PRC CathEd Parra

Written By

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au

02 Mar 2026
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