Pebble in the Pond

When a DV survivor decides it’s time to speak out about their situation and get help, the last thing they need is someone else telling them what to do. As a result, many DV advocates believe the most effective approach to provide necessary services to victims - is empowerment. Having been a victim of domestic violence for more than 16 years, this week’s guest Shirley Smith’s personal experiences c...

Since 2013, the darknet has increasingly been used for the buying and selling of illicit drugs. The rise of darknet marketplaces, also known as cryptomarkets, means that drug users are now able to access an unprecedented variety and volume of drugs sourced from dealers located all over the world. Australians are amongst the most enthusiastic participants in the darknet drugs trade, with numbers of...

Did you know that 75% of Australians are predicted to be overweight or obese by 2025? Neuroimaging studies have shown that high-sugar containing foods and beverages activate reward areas within the brain – that ‘reward’ appears to be more robust than those of cocaine. Brain function is significantly impacted from sugar and food over consumption. This week’s podcast guest Professor Selena Bartlett...

For many Australians, White Ribbon was synonymous with the movement to end domestic violence. For others, it was a symbol of ignoring the voices of victim survivors, tokenism and taking much-needed money from women’s safety services. Now in a new chapter, under the custodianship of Communicare, White Ribbon Australia is taking a different approach – moving from awareness raising to advocacy and ac...

Over the last three decades, problem gambling in Australia has been recognised as a serious and complex issue by clinicians, researchers and policy makers.  Committed to actively making a change in this field is this week’s podcast guest, Dr. Gabriele Byrne, a Senior Advisor at the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. Often referred to as an effective ‘Change Agent’, Gabriele has spent...

When someone you love is affected by addiction, it’s hard to know how to help. However with the right knowledge, family members can play a vital role in the journey of recovery. This week’s podcast guest Chrissie Kelly is a highly experienced Community Services Professional specialising in the alcohol and other drugs and mental health sectors.  As the Queensland State Manager for Family Drug...

Children are one of the most vulnerable groups during and after disastrous events.  Clinicians and educators that work with children during or after community trauma events are key to offering support and reducing the chances that children will have ongoing difficulties, however many are not sure how or what to do or say. Often, they too have been personally impacted by the events. One woman...

In the world of violence prevention, strategies focused on bystander intervention have received growing attention. One woman committed to being an active bystander is this week's podcast guest, Vanessa Fowler. Vanessa was a keynote speaker at our annual STOP Domestic Violence Conference a few weeks ago, and the sister of the late Allison Baden-Clay. She is also a wife, mother of two boys and aunt...

Employing people with lived experience in peer worker roles to support others offer a range of benefits. They know what it is like to experience mental ill health, and can share experiences of personal recovery. This week's podcast guest Fay Jackson is the General Manager of Inclusion at Flourish Australia, a large specialist care management organisation supporting people with mental health issues...

Despite being less likely to seek help, men are at the greatest risk of suicide. Blokes make up an average six out of every eight suicides every single day in Australia. One man committed to supporting men's mental health is this week's podcast guest, Dr. Zac Seidler. Zac is a clinical psychologist, the Director of Health Professional Training at Movember and a Research Fellow with Orygen at The U...

The issue of substance use among youth is one that we see in the media almost every day. The topic is often difficult to discuss  - but one man committed to spreading the word is this week’s guest, Rodney Bridge.  Rodney’s son Preston died at the age of 16, after taking a synthetic form of LSD in February 2013 during his school ball after party. Following his family tragedy, Rodney disco...

It's that time of year again – razors are banished, Movember is in full swing, and the discussion of men's health is in the spotlight. This week's podcast guest Brendan Maher is responsible for overseeing Movember's global suite of mental health and suicide prevention programs and investments. His key focus is on ensuring the charity's work in prevention and early intervention is able to reach and...

Recent research has indicated that early intervention and treatment in child and adolescence dramatically impact the course of mental illness. Working extensively in acute child and adolescent mental health, this week's podcast guest Dr. Stephen Spencer (PhD) knows the importance of early intervention – and dedicates his career to educating others on how to spot the warning signs. Stephen Spencer...

Within the mental health space, sharing experiences is a powerful way to showcase support, while inspiring others to know they are not alone in their struggles. Committed to creating greater connected communities is this week's podcast guests, The Blackbutterfly Group. Janice Elia, Tapu & Joe Fuiava are a trio of Pasifika people from a Samoan and Tongan heritage, born and raised in New Zealand...

This week, we are proud to announce our newest association ambassador, Libby Trickett. A former Australian swimmer, Libby collected 24 gold medals on the international stage across Olympic, Commonwealth Games and World Championships events. This included eight long course and seven short course world titles, five Commonwealth Games and four Olympic gold medals which were won at three consecutive O...

When advocating for mental health awareness, community involvement is vital. This week's podcast guest Trent Chapman is passionate about using his lived experience of mental health challenges to create education and awareness to his community. Now 35 years of age, Trent was diagnosed with depressive disorder at the age of 13 and has been managing his own mental Illness since. Trent's methods of de...

The psychological impacts of bullying go far beyond hurt feelings – with persistent bullying leading to depression, anxiety and contributing to feelings of suicidal behavior. One man committed to speaking up and speaking out is this week's guest, Dacre Danes. Dacre grew up in the beautiful surfing community of Cronulla in Sydney. His adult years have seen him live all around Australia and througho...

Alcohol is the most commonly used drug in Australia, with consumption per capita and alcohol-related harm increasing with remoteness. People living in regional and remote areas are more likely to drink frequently or at levels harmful to their health, with various contributing factors including culture and social acceptability. Shanna Whan is a nationally recognised speaker, blogger, and a health a...

There are 2.1 million Australians of working age with a disability. Of these, just under half are employed. In order to boost these statistics, programs that educate and empower both employees and employers are essential. To help people with a disability to cultivate a positive mindset and to improve their outlook on life, atWork Australia has partnered with Monash University to develop Positivum,...

One in six New Zealand adults have been diagnosed with a common mental disorder at some time in their lives. This includes depression, bipolar disorders and anxiety disorders. One man committed to supporting those in need is Sir John Kirwan, a former New Zealand All Black rugby union player and professional rugby coach. The former All Black and 1987 Rugby World Cup winner became a "Sir" in 2012, j...

Each year, more than 3000 Australians end their lives— this is about 8 people a day. To prevent suicide and reduce these numbers, it's important to make sure all Australians get the support they need. One professional passionate about making a change is Mr Alan Woodward. Alan has worked in the fields of mental health, crisis support and suicide prevention for 20 years as an executive leader, servi...

As COVID continues to envelop 2020, the future of mental health has hit the spotlight – specifically, what the implications will be on individuals, society, and the industry at large. Dr Grant Blashki has been a practising GP for 25 years and is the Lead Clinical Advisor for Beyond Blue. With almost 30 years of clinical experience, Grant has a strong understanding of mental ill-health conditions,...

Raising children is no easy feat – so, where can you turn when you need tried and trusted advice? Dr Justin Coulson is one of Australia's most respected and popular parenting authors and speakers. He is sought after for his expertise in family life, relationships, and wellbeing and resilience; and the founder of  'Happy Families', in which Justin provides happiness, relationship, and parentin...

Women in rural Australia experience workplace sexual harassment at alarming rates, with a study from this week's podcast guest Dr Skye Saunders revealing 73% of rural women had experienced sexual harassment at work. Skye is an Associate Professor in Law at the University of New England, an Employment-Discrimination Solicitor and is the Vice President of the YWCA Canberra. Skye pioneered the first...

In today's world, connection is only a click away. Meeting new people and maintaining old relationships has never been easier. But, where does our sense of belonging lie in a society that's increasingly reliant on instant gratification? One woman who can help provide insight is Jocelyn Brewer, a Sydney-based psychologist with 16 years' experience in public schools as both a teacher and counsellor....