Careers & Mental Health Conversations

How to show empathy and make empathetic assertions during tough conversations in the workplaces

Common mental illnesses that employees may experience and risk factors involved

The Amygdala doesn't always tell us the truth, and we explain its relationship to uncertainty

With R U OK Day approaching, our Mental Health Director outlines what you can say if you get a response that someone is not ok

We explain Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, links to trauma and sources of support

The LGBITQ+ community explained, links to potential mental health problems experienced and sources of support

Some common themes yours, or a colleagues mental health may be in decline including feeling sad or anxious persistently, emotional outbursts, sleep difficulties, changes in appetite and overall fatigue.

Advantages for remote workers and mental wellbeing

We cover things that worry remote workers including disconnection, motivation, hypervigilance, distractions and more.

Manage Feelings & Confirmation Bias When Responding to COVID-19

Sathiya Ramakrishnan Ph.D. Neuroscientist at SMB Health discussed 5 tips to keep employees productive and create mentally well workplaces. This includes learning how to say no, avoiding workplace politics, delegation, collaboration and applying emotional intelligence skills.

Reverse Culture Shock explained, what it looks like & how it works as employees return to workplaces since COVID-19.

Tips to improve employee motivation including self reflection, cognition, short vs long term goals, checking expectations and pay attention to rewards.

Understand the behaviour change cycle and why it's important to help form new habits and routines.

Understanding isolation and why some employees react differently

Stress Vs Anxiety - The difference in symptoms and responses explained

What is Mental Health and what isn't it? What is Mental Illness and how is it different from mental health? The Mental Health Continuum explained

Employee Burnout - What is it? What are the Risk Factors & Symptoms? Strategies to Overcome it and where to go for Support?

Financial Stress & Sources of Support

Managing Anxiety Disorders - Tips for employees to assist with managing an anxiety disorder including check your thinking, breathing, check the evidence, being present and exercising.

Sally talks to Stuart Loudon, commonly known as “a different kind of lawyer” about transitioning from a social worker into the legal industry, the challenges lawyers face surrounding mental wellbeing, the changing role of a lawyer and breaking down barriers in relation to mental health and serving your community.

How to stay mentally well covers important topics including self care, diet, sleep, exercise and more. Learn more at www.mentallywellworkplaces.com.au

Sonia talks to Sally about how she developed her career in leadership advisory including talking about how leaders can show courage and kindness in 2020. They also discuss the skills required to lead remotely, the ingredients that make up a courageous leader, the importance of aligning employees behaviours with values and much more.

We discuss what happens when you sleep including the sleep cycles, why each step of the cycle is so important, circadian rhythms, the effects of and signs and symptoms of sleep deprivation, the impact of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine on sleep, some tips to improve sleep and sources of support.

Josh drops by the CDC office to talk to Pat about how Blokepedia have survived and are adjusting to life as a small business as we all emerge from COVID. They discuss a range of topics including Zoom fatigue, launching new online mens health & wellbeing programs, balancing work and technology and how to move an events based business forward for the remainder of 2020. Find out more about the great work Josh the Blokepedia team do by visiting http://blokepedia.com/

Our Principal Master Mental Health Trainer, Tina Winchester, joins Pat to discuss everything you need to know about the new 100% online MHFA Course.Tina explains how the new online course is structured and run, why has it been introduced, what attendees can expect & what software or devices are required?Tina will also talk about any challenges she has noted in presenting the new course whilst outlining the benefits to learning MHFA online.If you have a question about the new Online Mental Health First Aid course, this is the podcast episode for you.For more information about the new online MHFA course, please visit our dedicated page https://www.careerdevelopmentcentre.com.au/mental-health-first-aid-courses-online/

In todays episode, Amy & Tina discuss navigating through the current remote working environment, as a parent. They cover off on the good days, the bad days, what helps and what doesn't. This is an honest conversation, that acknowledges the real difficulties and the need to be kind to ourselves in this unique situation.

Tina caught up with Amanda Bulow, the Founder & Chairperson of Awesome Women in Construction (AWIC). AWIC is a not-for-profit association providing a supportive community for women working in the construction industry providing personal and professional development and confidence building opportunities. Tina talks to Amanda about her 20 year career in construction, how bringing together a small group of women for a breakfast event led to establishing a NFP, the importance of networking and tips for women considering entering the construction industry as a career. You can learn more about the great work that AWIC do via www.awic.org.au

Tina catches up again with Ken Loftus, Founder and Clinical Director of the Sunlight Centre with 20 years experience in mental health and therapy. In this episode Tina and Ken discuss the current Covid-19 situation from a psychological perspective, with a focus on normal responses to fears and anxiety around these uncertain times and why we feel the way we do. Ken is an expert in evolutionary psychology with an uncanny ability to explain in simple terms how to better understand our minds. He also provides some excellent tips around raising self-awareness and the importance of self-compassion. The Sunlight Centre is a charity that relies on donations from generous members of the public, if you'd like to make a donation go to https://www.sunlightcentre.com.au/

Patty is a certified results coach, speaker and best-selling author with over 16 years experience in the corporate world which led her to realise that many people were living unhappy and unfulfilled lives. She now works with individuals and business owners through coaching sessions and workshops covering topics such as mindset, fixed emotions in the workplace, communication, values, behaviours, habits, resilience and more. Tina and Patty discuss a growth vs fixed mindset,the habits & skills required to deal with the current pandemic, the importance of breathing & self care, interviewing Dr Phil and much more.You can learn more about Patty's coaching, workshops and training via www.pattyduque.com

This may be our most important episode yet. As we currently experience a global pandemic and economic uncertainty, Tina and Pat run through some helpful and timely tips for employees who are getting used to remote and stay at home work conditions.They cover a range of tips for:*Managing anxiety during change*Setting up a work from home routine*Balancing work & leisure time at home*Exercise, nutrition & sleep*Communicating with team members*Dealing with news oversupply & social media*And much moreGet some helpful tips to use for your own workspace and keep an eye out for the new remote workers mental health induction, coming on soon on www.mentallywellworkplaces.com.au

Rob 'Millsy' Mills is a successful singer, presenter, actor, MC & media personality with a career spanning over 15 years.Rob joins Amy to discuss his rise to fame, the good times & the bad times, mental health, meditation and the importance of exercise, his role as an ambassador for RUOK? Day and much more.Trigger Warning!This weeks podcast discusses thoughts of suicide. Please take care of yourself and if this isn't the podcast for you or if you're not feeling good today, maybe skip this episode and put yourself first. If you do need to reach out right now, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

Kate Penno is a qualified social worker with over 15 years experience working in the Human Services Sector. She has more recently become a qualified life coach working on empowering parents and professionals through life seasons. Kate joins Amy to discuss the transition to being a working mum, juggling day-to-day life, finding me time and more. Follow Kate online via: Instagram @katepenno_the instinctguide FacebookThe Instinct Guide with Kate Penno website: www.katepenno.com

Donna returns to our podcast to talk to Sally about how she shares her own mental health story via public speaking.Donna also discusses some of her daily gratitude & mediation techniques, resilience strategies & goal setting, how she became a MHFA Instructor and much much moreYou can learn more about Donna's story via: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-07/donna-thistlewaite-suicide-survivor-story-bridge/8753316Or reach out to Donna about public speaking opportunities via: https://donnathistlethwaite.com.au/

Our Principal Master Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Tina Winchester, talks to Pat about what to expect in regards to undertaking a MHFA Course, what is involved in each course, what type of organisations implement mental health training and trends that she is noticing and hearing about. If you have heard about Mental Health First Aid and would like to know more about the course from one of Queenslands busiest trainers, then this is the episode for you.

Justin Savaille is the founder of ‘Management PT’ a professional management coaching and training organisation. Justin talks to Pat about why and when you should speak to a coach, how to coach different generations in the same workplace, behavioural profiling & much more moreFind out more about Justin and Management PT at https://managementpt.com/

Renee Eaves is the author of ‘Flirt With Justice’. Renee shares her story about how she was the first woman to ever self represent and take successful legal action for deprivation of liberty, thus setting case law. Renee is candid about how she bounced back from rock bottom and is now creating a program to support people with litigation stress and anxiety, and much much more

Ricky Nixon discusses a range of topics with Pat ranging from starting new businesses linked to mental & physical health checks, mental health in sports, the long term effects of concussion on sports stars, using social media, tips he implements to look after his own wellbeing and much more.

A big shoutout to all of our 10,000 + listeners from all 53 countries. We wants to say a big thankyou for listening and reaching out this year. In our final episode, we share a few key achievements plus give you an insight into what to expect in 2020. Have a great Xmas and New Year, from the whole team at CDC

The ultimate guide to surviving the Christmas period. Mark Varitimos joins us once more to discuss with Tina how we can keep on top of everything ranging from health and nutrition, to dealing with family members, the best alcohol to drink to avoid hangovers, the importance of recharging your batteries and much more.A timely episode before we all head away for the extended break.

Helen opens up about the mental and emotional process of stepping away from a successful career in Finance and Banking to pursue her passionate for helping people thrive in their careers. Helen talks about using fear to find courage, the importance of well-developed self-awareness, shares her tips for creating a work-life you want.

Maree is a health entrepreneur named in the Forbes Top 50 women-led start-ups.Mareer discussed with Tina why she created a social movement app by the name of Wanngi, which provides individuals with a global personal health record that focuses on privacy and security and is disrupting the healthtec industry.Hear more about Maree's idea turn into reality and learn more about Waangi via https://wanngi.com/

Mark is back talking with Tina about everything regarding the importance of sleep including the effects of sleep on mental health, sleep cycles dreams, & the ideal time for naps.We also discuss shift work and its effect on sleep, tips to improve sleep, dreaming and then briefly touch on the benefits of meditation.Having a hard time getting to sleep? Then put in your earphones and make sure you give this episode a listen.

In this, third and final episode, with Dr Claire Kelly from Mental Health First Aid, Tina and Claire talk in-depth about implementing Mental Health First Aiders into workplaces.Their easy conversation covers many topics including the cost of not addressing the mental health of the Australian workforce, generational approaches to talking about mental health at work, who in an organisation makes a good Mental Health First Aider, Mental Health Policies and more"

In this week's episode Tina sat down for a chat with Mark Varitimos from Core Health Coaching.Mark shares his insights and knowledge with Tina in the area of holistic health. Their conversations covers the importance of healing from the inside out through the 6 foundations of health - sleep, nutrition and timing of food, hydration, movement, breathing and thought.A great conversation to start thinking about and making positive changes in our livesLearn more about Marks experience at https://www.corehealthcoaching.com.au/mark-varitimos-personal-trainer/

Norm McGillivray has experienced the effects of homelessness first-hand, and is on a mission to help Australia's homelessness communities secure a safe night sleep, as well as help them restore their dignity, build self-respect and get their confidence back. Norm's unique idea to activate pop-up accommodation in CBD parking spots is about to launch, and you will hear an emotional and passionate story from a dedicated man who will simply not take no for an answer.You can learn more about Beddown via: https://beddown.org.au/

This is the second of our series of three podcasts with Dr Claire Kelly who leads research and curriculum at Mental Health First Aid Australia and has a passion for the mental health of young people. Today's episode focuses on youth mental health with Tina and Claire covering a variety of topics including anxiety in teens and youth, the impact of social media, non-suicidal self-injury and the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why".If you have children or ever plan on having children, this is an important episode not to be missed!You can learn more about Dr Claire Kelly via: https://mhfa.com.au/trainer/142

Gearoid Towey speaks to Sally about why he stared The Athlete Advantage & Crossing The Line Sports, businesses involved in in athletes mental health, step by step programs related to carer development, coaching & mental well-being.Learn more about each business via:https://crossingthelinesport.com/https://www.theathleteadvantage.com/

Anthony Kuhlmann recently dropped by our office to share his success stories around consulting with start up businesses to help them maximise their sales quickly & effectively.Anthony shares some tips which he uses himself which helped him to book out his own business within 12 days of launching, and has since helped boost some of his clients sales by as much as 500% within 10 weeks.This is an insightful chat and a must for anyone wanting to start a new business or who recently has and needs some sales guidance.If you would like to reach out to Anthony you can contact him via his Red Apple Consultancy page on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-kuhlmann/

The Walk For Awareness is fast approaching us this October the 6th, and to celebrate entering into its 9th year and being Australia's largest Mental Health Walk, we speak with co-founder Wesley Vasile about how and why it started and how you can get involved.You can register your interest for the Walk via https://registration.everydayhero.com/ps/event/WalkForAwareness2019

This is the first of a series of 3 x podcasts with Dr Claire Kelly leads Research and Curriculum at Mental Health First Aid Australia. Claire has been involved with MHFA since 2003, when she first become an instructor whilst completing her doctorate.Since 2005 Claire has worked on the MHFA guidelines used to inform courses and is an author on the manuals and handouts for MHFA. Claire's PhD thesis was written on the mental health literacy of Australian adolescents.Tina talks to Claire about the success of MHFA globally, mental health champions in the workplace and her own experience of depression, anxiety and self-injury. The two talk passionately about barriers to accessing services, lack of funding and the importance of early intervention.