Steph is a Research Fellow at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. Steph leads an innovative program of research and translation to reduce the impact of substance use. Her research aims to improve the health outcomes for individuals, families and communities especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. In today’s episode we chat with Steph about: Cracks in the Ice, which is a National Online Portal funded by the Australian Government Department of Health to develop and disseminate evidence-based resources about crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) for the Aus ..read more

Gus Worland is a Radio presenter and TV personality. During an episode on his breakfast radio show, Gus shared a story about a close friend and mentor who took his own life. This opened up the calls from listeners who called in to share their own stories. The journey which Gus started led to him hosting a three-part mental health documentary series, Man Up and now Gotcha4Life, a charity working to prevent suicide and break the stigma around mental health issues.  In today’s episode we talk about Gus’s personal experience, how he’s passionate about encouraging mental fitness and the fundra ..read more

Belinda Connell has been a registered Social Worker for 25 years and has over 10 years’ experience in suicide prevention, delivering LivingWorks’ suicide intervention training in Australia and overseas. Belinda also served as a sworn Police Officer with the NSW Police Service and is very proud of her first responder family background.   In today’s episode we chat with Belinda about the stigma around having conversations about suicide. We also discuss the LivingWorks programs which can empower people to learn the skills which could help someone stay safe, and the improvements which ca ..read more

Ashley is the Executive Director at NSW Aboriginal Safe Gambling Services.  An Aboriginal Australian from the western-New South Wales community of Brewarrina and a descendent of the Gamilaroi and Ngemba people, Ashley has dedicated much of his life and career to not only addressing the fundamental gap in services available to Aboriginal communities but also to dismantling the stigma associated with seeking help.   Today we talk with Ashley around his belief that disadvantage in Aboriginal communities and the issues associated with it, including drug, alcohol and gambling addicti ..read more

Abi Cooper is a Youth Mental Health Consultant and Lived Experience Coordinator at batyr. Only 22, Abi has been working in the mental health sector for the last five years. By sharing her experience in help seeking and having a few missteps along the way, Abi is passionate about advocating for young people within the community who are looking for services. Today we chat around Abi’s personal story, the changes she’d like to see in the lived experience workforce and some of the power shifts she’d like to see within the greater sector. Thank you Abi, and welcome ..read more

Rod Jeffries is Wakenyahten (Turtle Clan) of the Kanyen’keha:ka Niwakitaro:ten (Mohawk) residing at home on the Kenhte:ke Nitewake:non (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario, Canada.)     For the past 36 years, he has worked in the fields of substance abuse, healing, wellness and treatment as manager, workshop trainer/facilitator, program developer and evaluator.   In the past three decades, his efforts have focused on the development & delivery of programs and staff for working with survivors of trauma, cultural oppression, sexual abuse and residential/boarding schools ..read more

Dr Julie Rowse is the Owner of Healthy Mind And Soul & a Mental Health Occupational Therapist.  Growing up in Ballarat with a very strong work ethic which didn’t cover mental health, Dr Julie Rowse came to her current practice after a burn out moment saw her questioning her career path and searching for answers when she had some unexplained health issues.   A passionate advocate for a holistic approach to mental health with occupational therapy, treatment and flexible approaches, Dr Rowse joins us for today’s episode.   Welcome, Dr Julie Rowse.   ..read more

Reverend Dr Rex Rigby is an Indigenous Australian – from the Bigambul clan in central southwest Queensland.  Rex is the first Indigenous national head of a denomination in Australia.  He has served for eleven years as the National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia, fourteen years as a District Superintendent, and over 17 years as a local church pastor.  Today we talk about Rex’s story, how he got started in the church and his passionate mission for change, leadership and the challenges that come along with that. A truly powerful story and a hopeful one. Thank yo ..read more

From being raised on a farm to living overseas and back to Australia to working in corporate - “growing” has always been a part of Simon’s life. When he partnered with friends Matt and Paul, the innovative and now, award winning raised garden bed company: Vegepod was born.   Simon is passionate about therapeutic horticulture and through his own story with mental ill-health, he is a big believer in the power of growing to help people overcome challenging times.     The benefits from getting your hands in the soil, nurturing nature and growing your own edible garden are only ..read more

Cameron is the Founder and Managing Director of Hemisphere East, a strategic counsel and government relations consultancy that helps clients in the tech and cyber fields engage with government and industry.  After serving fourteen years in the Australian Federal Police, most of this time in leadership roles, and as an AFP advisor to the federal government.   Sharn runs pre and post-natal yoga classes and together they are proud Fortem Australia Ambassadors.  We talk about the challenges faced by first responders on the job, mental health within the sector Cameron’s journey ..read more