managing mental health

Anne Riches is many things, a lawyer, change management specialist, educational facilitator and Black Dog Institute’s first volunteer presenter. Anne also lives with depression.

During this episode of Being Well, Anne shares her experience of mental ill health and how the workplace can contribute to employee’s well being.

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Dr Ally Nicolopoulos is a postdoctoral research fellow at Black Dog Institute, who never fails to bring a smile to the faces of those she crosses paths with during the day. In her spare time Ally is a boxer, competing around Australia.

In this episode of Being Well, Ally shares her experiences working as researcher in suicide prevention and how she manages her own mental health.

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Benjamin Gilmour is a paramedic, film maker and author. In this episode of Being Well, Ben shares some of the lesson’s he has learnt about mental health and suicide prevention throughout his career.

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

When you first meet Craig Semple it’s hard to imagine that someone like him has experienced mental health difficulties.

In Part 2, Craig discusses how he turned his breakdown into a breakthrough.

Craig is now a mental health advocate, and speaker for Black Dog Institute.

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

When you first meet Craig Semple it’s hard to imagine that someone like him has experienced mental health difficulties.

In part 1 of Craig’s Story, we hear about Craig’s career as a Detective in the NSW Police Force, which led to him living with PTSD for 9 years. 

Craig is now a mental health advocate, and speaker for Black Dog Institute.

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Dr Molly Shorthouse is the Director of Medical Services at Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation in East Arnhem Land.

In this episode of Being Well Molly shares her experiences working as a rural mental health doctor. Once you’ve listened to Molly speak you will understand why she has been welcomed with open arms into her local community.

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Paula is a counselor specialising in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, a former dancer and a mother, who is living with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

Paula has remained an optimist throughout her treatment, and shares her story of living with chronic disease on this episode of Being Well.

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Percy Knight is proud Wiradjuri man, NRL legend and Indigenous rights activist. In this episode of Being Well, Percy shares his experiences growing up on a mission in Condobolin, to becoming a professional Rugby League Player and now completing a PhD at the University of Sydney Business School.

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Presented by Jan Orman, produced by Nathan Bell. Additional production by Olivia De Pomeroy.

Evie Ryder is a social worker, youth support worker, skateboard coach, and transgender woman. During this episode of Being Well Evie shares her experience of transitioning and her work within the LGBTQI+ community.

Fiona Wright was probably best known as a poet until she wrote her recent book, ‘Small Acts of Disappearance’, where she described her experience of living with an eating disorder.

Fiona will be telling us about that experience of mental illness, and other experiences with depression and of anxiety.

She’ll also explain how, although writing about her mental illness came relatively late, it brought a lot of good things to her life.

If this episode leaves you needing to talk to someone, you can always call Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia, or the eating disorder & body image support line, run by the Butterfly Foundation, on 1 800 33 46 73.

Jocelyn Lowinger is a doctor who knows a lot about doctors’ mental health. She has some valuable insights to add to the discussion of wellbeing in the medical profession, including some ways to help doctors improve the level of distress in a profession that is not known for looking after itself.

We’d like to add that online mental health programs such as Black Dog Institute’s myCompass or any of the other Australian evidence based programs are a great place for doctors to start to learn psychological survival skills – some of which might benefit their patients as well!

If this episode raises issues you need to talk about, you can call Lifeline in Australia on 13 11 14, beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, or via online counselling. 

Wayne Wigham  is an ex-footballer with a big heart and the gift of being able to talk like a real person – especially about his struggles with his mental health. In this episode, Wayne talks about what it’s like to be a big tough guy with depression, why he works so hard to get the message about depression out to the community, and why he does it so well.

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If this episode raises issues you need to talk about, you can call Lifeline in Australia on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, or via online counselling

Amy, like many young people, got lost in a tangle of anxiety and depression in her teens. Amy was one of the lucky ones – she found her way out.

Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.