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

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