No Duff Podcast

In this episode, we interview Wing Commander (Retired) Dr Paul Nealis, the former Chief Medical Officer for the New Zealand Defence Force. Dr Nealis shares his unique insights around mental injury as both someone with a wealth of expertise of Veteran-specific issues, and as someone who has first-hand experience of mental injury as a result of service. This episode is an excellent resource to help gain an understanding of some of the key mental health issues that can affect Veterans and their families. Topics include:  * What is “mental injury.”* Explanations of the four main types of mental injury: minor traumatic brain injury, adjustment disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder/injury, and moral injury;* What can you expect if you seek help for a mental injury* Mental conditioning when joining the military, and how does that affect a person transitioning out* The impact of mental injury on families* How mental injury can lead to physical medical problems  Dr Nealis is now the Clinical Advisor for No Duff Charitable Trust and remains passionately committed to supporting Veterans and their families.   The views, thoughts and opinions made in this Podcast are of a personal capacity and do not represent the view of the New Zealand Army or the New Zealand Defence Force.      “After The War” written by Edward Martin, Paul Matthews & Shelton Woolright(c) Published by I Am Giant LimitedAdministered by Kobalt Music Publishing Australia Pty LtdLicensed courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment NZ Ltd

Welcome to the first episode of the No Duff Charitable Trust podcast series. In this episode, Tim Wilson recounts his experiences as an eighteen-year-old Infantryman serving in East Timor in 1999 with the New Zealand Army’s initial INTERFET deployment. Specifically, Tim talks about his involvement in the aftermath of a tragic accident that claimed the life of the units Company Sergeant Major, WO2 Tony Walser. On that day Tim was operating in a small group of four soldiers who were the first on the accident scene, and his role was to provide initial and immediate first aid to WO2 Walser who had suffered critical injuries. Tim had only been in the unit for four months and was barely two months into what would be an eight-month deployment. Tony Walser was a hugely respected man in the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and a significant professional influence on the soldiers of Whiskey Company in his position of Company Sergeant Major. A soldiers soldier, his troops looked up to him as the father figure in the unit, and the Company keenly felt his loss in the following months. The pressure on Tim as one of the least experienced soldiers in the Company attempting to save the life of one of the most experienced was immense. Not to mention the fact the accident site was halfway down a cliff in the jungle and an area of enemy activity, and the effects left a lasting psychological mark on all those involved. This podcast episode is dedicated to Warrant Officer Class 2 Tony Walser. Onward   The views, thoughts and opinions made in this Podcast are of a personal capacity and do not represent the view of the New Zealand Army or the New Zealand Defence Force.      "After The War" written by Edward Martin, Paul Matthews & Shelton Woolright(c) Published by I Am Giant LimitedAdministered by Kobalt Music Publishing Australia Pty LtdLicensed courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment NZ Ltd

The experiences of New Zealand’s military Veterans over the past 30 years are almost unknown to the wider public. Using real stories told by Veterans themselves, the No Duff Podcast shines a light on their never before published experiences. The podcast will share stories about Veterans service in their own words from their individual perspective, along with the subsequent impact on themselves and their families.   The series will also feature interviews with subject-matter experts and support organisations to highlight that Veterans and their families are not alone with the unique challenges and difficulties that often arise from service – and how they can get support if needed.     "After The War" written by Edward Martin, Paul Matthews & Shelton Woolright(c) Published by I Am Giant LimitedAdministered by Kobalt Music Publishing Australia Pty LtdLicensed courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment NZ Ltd