Being Well by Black Dog Institute

In this E-Mental Health in Practice podcast, we hear the story of author Germaine Leece and her inspiring journey to bibliotherapy and publishing her first book. Join us for this insightful and truly inspiring story.

The WellMob team takes us through their insights on supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal communities, what non-Indigenous health professionals should consider when working with Aboriginal people and also share how they look after their own wellbeing.

Even after gaining a degree in psychology, it took a while for the penny to drop with Tammi that she had a form of anxiety.Also, appearing outwardly confident and being a high achiever, made it harder for people to believe her, even her psychologist!

Rosie's life was impacted by an eating disorder. She's one of many Australian teenagers that have struggled with disordered eating. Rosie was fortunate enough to obtain treatment and she shares her story with us.Her story is one of resilience, strength, community and power through knowledge.Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Shahida is originally from Afghanistan. She came to Australia as a refugee on a long and difficult journey via India. In her home country, mental health is not recongnised, nor is it spoken about.Her story is one of reslience, strength, community and power through knowledge.Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

When you meet Mel it's easy to believe that she will achieve anything she sets her mind to. This includes surviving anorexia nervosa, living with obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety and now working in a hospital as a doctor. In this episode of Being Well, Mel shares how she has managed her mental health in the past and continues to while working within the high pressure health care industry.Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Mandy had ‘less than zero’ knowledge about mental illness until she experienced an acute episode of postnatal psychosis 10 years ago. Mandy is now a passionate mental health advocate who is sharing her story to ensure others have access to the information she didn’t have. Some of the things spoken about in this podcast mayContinue reading "Mandy’s Story"

Shai has been part of the Black Dog Institute family since 2014 during that time has been an active mental health advocate, sharing her story with schools and community groups across Australia and working to reinvigorate BiteBack program. Shai now works in out of home care, helping young people who are experiencing a similar childhoodContinue reading "Shai’s Story"

In this episode of Being Well you are invited to lunch with Dr Jan Orman and some of her long -time colleagues and friends to listen as they discuss their personal and professional experience of maintaining emotional wellbeing in later life. Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to someContinue reading "Staying Well As We Get Older – Our Story"

Kim is an energetic and enthusiastic person who works to help others through her business and the dental charity she founded. Kim also has Bipolar Disorder, but this doesn’t slow her down. In this episode of Being Well hear how Kim works with the cycles of her mood to be the most efficient and bestContinue reading "Kim’s Story"

COVID-19 has caused significant challenges for many of us in Australia and around the world. In this episode of Being Well we spoke to four of our previous guests to see how they are travelling. We asked them how COVID impacted their life, how they are managing this impact and what they are looking forwardContinue reading "Staying Well during COVID-19"

Dale Skinner has been a Lived Experience presenter with Black Dog Institute since the 17th of June 2011, the reason why he knows this exact date is because he has it tattooed on his arm. Dale talks about his experience living with Bipolar Disorder, and why he is so passionate about mental health education inContinue reading "Dale’s Story"

Paul Callaghan is a proud Worimi man from Port Stephens. He was the first person in his family to finish High School, and is now an author, PhD candidate and cultural consultant. On this episode of the podcast Paul shares his lived experience of depression, and discusses the importance of connection to Aboriginal culture andContinue reading "Paul’s Story"

Benvinda is a GP, who had a thriving practice in Sydney’s Inner West for many years. Benvinda has experienced significant mental health difficulties throughout her career, and like many doctors turned to work during tough times. In this episode of Being Well, Benvinda talks about how she manages her mental health which allows her toContinue reading "Benvinda’s Story"

Anne Riches is many things, a lawyer, change management specialist, educational facilitator and Black Dog Institute’s first volunteer presenter. Anne also lives with depression. During this episode of Being Well, Anne shares her experience of mental ill health and how the workplace can contribute to employee’s well being. Some of the things spoken about inContinue reading "Anne’s Story"

Dr Ally Nicolopoulos is a postdoctoral research fellow at Black Dog Institute, who never fails to bring a smile to the faces of those she crosses paths with during the day. In her spare time Ally is a boxer, competing around Australia. In this episode of Being Well, Ally shares her experiences working as researcherContinue reading "Ally’s Story"

Benjamin Gilmour is a paramedic, film maker and author. In this episode of Being Well, Ben shares some of the lesson’s he has learnt about mental health and suicide prevention throughout his career. Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know findContinue reading "Ben’s Story"

When you first meet Craig Semple it’s hard to imagine that someone like him has experienced mental health difficulties. In Part 2, Craig discusses how he turned his breakdown into a breakthrough. Craig is now a mental health advocate, and speaker for Black Dog Institute. Some of the things spoken about in this podcast mayContinue reading "Craig’s Story- Part 2"

When you first meet Craig Semple it’s hard to imagine that someone like him has experienced mental health difficulties. In part 1 of Craig’s Story, we hear about Craig’s career as a Detective in the NSW Police Force, which led to him living with PTSD for 9 years.  Craig is now a mental health advocate,Continue reading "Craig’s Story- Part 1"

Dr Molly Shorthouse is the Director of Medical Services at Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation in East Arnhem Land. In this episode of Being Well Molly shares her experiences working as a rural mental health doctor. Once you’ve listened to Molly speak you will understand why she has been welcomed with open arms into her localContinue reading "Molly’s Story"

Paula is a counselor specialising in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, a former dancer and a mother, who is living with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Paula has remained an optimist throughout her treatment, and shares her story of living with chronic disease on this episode of Being Well. Some of the thingsContinue reading "Paula’s Story"

Percy Knight is proud Wiradjuri man, NRL legend and Indigenous rights activist. In this episode of Being Well, Percy shares his experiences growing up on a mission in Condobolin, to becoming a professional Rugby League Player and now completing a PhD at the University of Sydney Business School. Some of the things spoken about inContinue reading "Percy’s Story"

Evie Ryder is a social worker, youth support worker, skateboard coach, and transgender woman. During this episode of Being Well Evie shares her experience of transitioning and her work within the LGBTQI+ community.

Jan Orman is a GP Services Consultant at Black Dog Institute. In this episode of Being Well Jan shares her own experiences with mental health both personally and professionally. Some of the things spoken about in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know find this content distressing and require assistance,Continue reading "Jan’s Story"

Fiona Wright was probably best known as a poet until she wrote her recent book, ‘Small Acts of Disappearance’, where she described her experience of living with an eating disorder. Fiona will be telling us about that experience of mental illness, and other experiences with depression and of anxiety. She’ll also explain how, although writingContinue reading "Fiona’s Story"

Jocelyn Lowinger is a doctor who knows a lot about doctors’ mental health. She has some valuable insights to add to the discussion of wellbeing in the medical profession, including some ways to help doctors improve the level of distress in a profession that is not known for looking after itself. We’d like to addContinue reading "Jocelyn’s Story"