David says ketamine was a ‘lifesaver’ for his depression. So why are many in Australia missing out?

David says ketamine has been a ‘lifesaver’ for his treatment-resistant depression after decades of trying other therapies. But it costs him $14,000 a year. Photograph: David

After being abused as a child, David spent decades searching for a treatment for his depression and anxiety. Like many people with treatment-resistant depression, he was cycled by psychiatrists through a variety of drugs and therapies, but David – who asked for only his first name to be used – said he remained “debilitated”.

Then in October 2021, at age 64, he began a fortnightly ketamine treatment – and it proved to be a “lifesaver”.