HSW 71: Mental Health in the Workplace with Tracey Rohweder

According to research undertaken by Beyond Blue – 1 in 2 people are going to experience some kind of mental health condition in their lifetime, and 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental health condition in a year.  Pretty profound statistics equating to approximately 20% of your co-workers (which may even include yourself), who may be struggling with some kind of mental health condition too.

For a lot of people however, including today’s podcast guest Tracey Rohweder, a Team Leader for PoliceLink in Queensland, the thought of telling anyone or wanting anyone to know that you are struggling mentally – can be terrifying.

As a wife and mum to 2 kids, along with being a shift worker for 17 years, Tracey Rohweder spent years hiding her anxiety and depression from her work colleagues, because she was constantly worried ” what will my boss think?” or “what will my workmates think?”

Despite her happy and bubbly external persona that she portrayed at work, Tracey was diagnosed with chronic anxiety and depression, yet did everything humanly possible, specifically at work, to make sure that nobody knew.

Which in her words was “exhausting”.

That is until one day, she decided to take the courageous step and share what she was going through with her work colleagues, because she didn’t want any of her “work family” to ever feel this way too.

Tune in to hear Tracey’s heartwarming and inspiring story, and what set her on the path to becoming a true leader in her workplace when it comes to managing the health and wellbeing of her fellow shift working workmates.

Links mentioned on the podcast:
Beyond Blue
Lifeline
131Health
Smiling Mind

To get in touch with Tracey – Rohweder.TraceyM@police.qld.gov.au

Other resources:  Mindful Employer

HSW 56 – PTSD, Depression and Mental Health with Shaun O’Gorman

Healthy Shift Worker Podcast:

Did you know that suicide rates in Australia, are double that of the road toll? This blew me away when I heard this, and is why this interview with Shaun O’Gorman is such a powerful one.

Shaun is an ex police officer, critical stress consultant, keynote speaker, author and fellow podcaster – and knows first-hand, what it’s like to suffer from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), depression, and to even battle with suicide. In fact, its the driving force behind his business – The Strong Life Project.

Tune in to hear Shaun’s amazing story of strength and resilience, and what he did to bring himself out of the depths of depression and turn his life around, to now helping others who may also be struggling, via his workplace training workshops.

This is a must listen for anyone who has ever experienced stress, anxiety or depression.

Audra x

Links mentioned in the podcast:

Shaun’s website – The Strong Life Project

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thestronglifeproject/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thestronglifeproject/

Podcast – http://www.thestronglifeproject.com/category/the-strong-life-podcast/

HSW 004: Sleep Deprivation, Mental Health and Bipolar Disorder with Dr Erin Michalak

To coincide with World Bipolar Day on March 30th, we’re releasing a bonus episode this week to help bring a global awareness to bipolar disorders, and eliminate the stigma which is often attached to mental health disorders.  Audra interviews Dr Erin Michalak from Vancouver, Canada who is the Founder and Leader of the ‘Collaborative RESearch Team for the study of psychosocial issues in Bipolar Disorder’ – CREST.BD, an organization designed to enhance the wellness of people living with the condition.

For more information on the amazing work Dr Michalak and her team are doing to help enhance the health and wellness of people living with Bipolar Disorder, visit CREST.BD