Cathy Stoner says she has had undiagnosed depression, anxiety and PTSD from childhood abuse
Former NSW deputy premier Andrew Stoner says he decided to quit politics to be there for his wife Cathy, who is suffering from anxiety and depression.
The Nationals MP resigned from the ministry last Wednesday citing “very difficult family issues” for his wife and children.
He and his wife have now revealed what those issues are, News Corp Australia reported.
Ms Stoner said her husband was the best she could ask for and she was grateful he had decided to put aside his career to focus on her and their children.
“I think it might be a good idea to put the record straight,” she said.
“The reason I found it so hard coping with life while he was away is because for over 30 years I have had undiagnosed depression, anxiety and childhood PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder]. I only started to get help, and was diagnosed, three years ago.”
Ms Stoner said she was sexually abused by a male relative for about 10 years as a child and had not dealt with that until recently.
“I am telling you this because this story needs to be told, like so many others.”
Stoner said that after a rough week in state politics in Sydney he was sometimes exhausted and did not have a lot left for his family when he returned to his Port Macquarie home.
He said his youngest son, Nat, 11, had only had a part-time dad and wanted to spend more time with his father.
Stoner said he realised it was time to quit politics and he told premier Mike Baird he had to put his family first.
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