Careers & Mental Health Conversations

Helen opens up about the mental and emotional process of stepping away from a successful career in Finance and Banking to pursue her passionate for helping people thrive in their careers. Helen talks about using fear to find courage, the importance of well-developed self-awareness, shares her tips for creating a work-life you want.

Maree is a health entrepreneur named in the Forbes Top 50 women-led start-ups. Mareer discussed with Tina why she created a social movement app by the name of Wanngi, which provides individuals with a global personal health record that focuses on privacy and security and is disrupting the healthtec industry. Hear more about Maree's idea turn into reality and learn more about Waangi via https://wanngi.com/

Mark is back talking with Tina about everything regarding the importance of sleep including the effects of sleep on mental health, sleep cycles dreams, & the ideal time for naps. We also discuss shift work and its effect on sleep, tips to improve sleep, dreaming and then briefly touch on the benefits of meditation. Having a hard time getting to sleep? Then put in your earphones and make sure you give this episode a listen.

In this, third and final episode, with Dr Claire Kelly from Mental Health First Aid, Tina and Claire talk in-depth about implementing Mental Health First Aiders into workplaces. Their easy conversation covers many topics including the cost of not addressing the mental health of the Australian workforce, generational approaches to talking about mental health at work, who in an organisation makes a good Mental Health First Aider, Mental Health Policies and more"

In this week's episode Tina sat down for a chat with Mark Varitimos from Core Health Coaching. Mark shares his insights and knowledge with Tina in the area of holistic health. Their conversations covers the importance of healing from the inside out through the 6 foundations of health - sleep, nutrition and timing of food, hydration, movement, breathing and thought. A great conversation to start thinking about and making positive changes in our lives Learn more about Marks experience at https://www.corehealthcoaching.com.au/mark-varitimos-personal-trainer/

Norm McGillivray has experienced the effects of homelessness first-hand, and is on a mission to help Australia's homelessness communities secure a safe night sleep, as well as help them restore their dignity, build self-respect and get their confidence back. Norm's unique idea to activate pop-up accommodation in CBD parking spots is about to launch, and you will hear an emotional and passionate story from a dedicated man who will simply not take no for an answer. You can learn more about Beddown via: https://beddown.org.au/

This is the second of our series of three podcasts with Dr Claire Kelly who leads research and curriculum at Mental Health First Aid Australia and has a passion for the mental health of young people. Today's episode focuses on youth mental health with Tina and Claire covering a variety of topics including anxiety in teens and youth, the impact of social media, non-suicidal self-injury and the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why". If you have children or ever plan on having children, this is an important episode not to be missed! You can learn more about Dr Claire Kelly via: https://mhfa.com.au/trainer/142

Gearoid Towey speaks to Sally about why he stared The Athlete Advantage & Crossing The Line Sports, businesses involved in in athletes mental health, step by step programs related to carer development, coaching & mental well-being. Learn more about each business via: https://crossingthelinesport.com/ https://www.theathleteadvantage.com/

Anthony Kuhlmann recently dropped by our office to share his success stories around consulting with start up businesses to help them maximise their sales quickly & effectively. Anthony shares some tips which he uses himself which helped him to book out his own business within 12 days of launching, and has since helped boost some of his clients sales by as much as 500% within 10 weeks. This is an insightful chat and a must for anyone wanting to start a new business or who recently has and needs some sales guidance. If you would like to reach out to Anthony you can contact him via his Red Apple Consultancy page on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-kuhlmann/

The Walk For Awareness is fast approaching us this October the 6th, and to celebrate entering into its 9th year and being Australia's largest Mental Health Walk, we speak with co-founder Wesley Vasile about how and why it started and how you can get involved. You can register your interest for the Walk via https://registration.everydayhero.com/ps/event/WalkForAwareness2019

This is the first of a series of 3 x podcasts with Dr Claire Kelly leads Research and Curriculum at Mental Health First Aid Australia. Claire has been involved with MHFA since 2003, when she first become an instructor whilst completing her doctorate. Since 2005 Claire has worked on the MHFA guidelines used to inform courses and is an author on the manuals and handouts for MHFA. Claire's PhD thesis was written on the mental health literacy of Australian adolescents. Tina talks to Claire about the success of MHFA globally, mental health champions in the workplace and her own experience of depression, anxiety and self-injury. The two talk passionately about barriers to accessing services, lack of funding and the importance of early intervention.

Ken Loftus, Clinical Director of the Sunlight Centre, dropped into the CDC cottage to record this episode of Careers and Mental Health Conversations. After a successful career specialising in crisis intervention Ken established the Sunlight Centre when he saw there was a lack of free crisis therapy services in Brisbane that helped people directly who were suffering with suicidal ideation and self-harm. The conversation goes in many directions, from establishing a charity, to evolutionary psychology, social anxiety and beyond. This one is not to be missed! https://www.sunlightcentre.com.au/

Tina caught up with Sam Parker from Grab Life by the Balls for a chat about the awesome work they are doing to make a positive difference to men's mental health. Sam, the Founder, talks about why he established the movement, what grabbing life by the balls is all about and the World's Biggest BBQ to raise awareness about men's suicide in Australia. Did you know Australia doesn't hold the world record for the biggest (most people attended) BBQ, we agree with Sam that this is un-Australian ! This is a great conversation about men's mental health, https://www.grablifebytheballs.com.au/

David Westgate - the Bipolar Businessman - talks to Tina about suffering from and living with Bipolar Disorder whilst navigating the corporate world. David has worked in advertising for 35 years as a writer and strategic thinker. He's held senior positions in international agencies, run his own and worked with clients such as Subura, Kellogs, BMW, Johnnie Walker and CommBank. He shares his experience of the importance of good rapport and collaboration with your Psychiatrist, his relief at receiving a diagnosis, his experiences with finding the right medication, his work as a Keynote Speaker for the Blackdog Institute, how he manages his own mental health and what Club20 is all about. https://club20.com.au/ You can connect with David on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-s-westgate/

Justin Geange is a truly remarkable human being who's true passion is to bring joy to others and make them smile. Justin shares his story with Tina about how he became a Field Officer with MATES In Construction, as well as his experience living with Bipolar and surviving suicide attempts. Justin also opens up on some important lessons he learnt from appearing on reality TV whilst also sharing how workers and managers can look out for each other, the importance of listening to friends and family and a whole bunch more.

We talk about what we have learnt from a bumper 6 weeks of amazing and intriguing guests, all discussing mental health. Learn valuable insights from reality TV & author star Dino Hira, MHFA England's CEO Simon Blake, Heart On My Sleeve Founder Mitch Wallis, the Blokepedia founder Josh Quarmby, NSW's Deputy Mental Health Commissioner Alan Sparkes, and R U OK's? new CEO, Katherine Newton.

Katherine talks to Tina about her journey to becoming the new CEO of R U OK? They also discuss important conversation starter steps, how & why it's important to ask R U OK?, as well as the importance of engaging & listening to your community & using feedback to promote behavioural change. Find out more about the great work R U OK? do via https://www.ruok.org.au/

Allan Sparkes shares his lived experience of how continual chronic stress lead to PTSD, depression & suicidal thoughts. Allan talks about the warning signs as well as the simple principles he now lives by including the importance of sleep, nutrition, diet and using technology to help, not harm. Allan's previous career in the police force is remarkable, he's been awarded the Cross of Valor, OAM and a Commendation for brave conduct. Allan is a survivor of PTSD and an advocate for the inclusion of lived experience in areas of mental health awareness and suicide prevention in Australia. *Trigger Warning - Allan speaks candidly about PTSD, his dark days and a time in his life when he was actively suicidal. Please take care of yourself and if this isn't the podcast for you or if you're not feeling your best today, maybe skip this one and put yourself first. If you do need to reach out right now there are professionals ready to help at 24/7 at Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Josh Quarmby talks to Tina about how working in a FIFO role & learning hard lessons from an early business failure lead to him founding Blokedpedia. Blokepedia delivers engaging programs and events to communities and businesses that promote and encourage positive discussion around the health and wellbeing of Australian men. Josh also talks about the importance of self care, physical exercise and social connections for all men and women across Australia. Find out more about Blokepedia and the great work they do at: http://blokepedia.com/

Mitch Wallis opens up about creating a social community and how founding the Heart On My Sleeve Movement has changed his life. Mitch also discusses the importance of creating healthy connected relationships, authentic connections and EQ based conversations and much more. You can learn more about this movement and Mitch by visiting https://heartonmysleeve.org/