John Brogden - Mental Health Special | Be Better Off Show Podcast

This week’s Be Better Off Show features Australian Politician, John Brogden.

With October being Mental Health Awareness Month in Australia, this timely episode touches on the importance of improving education and access to resources around mental health and wellbeing.

After his suicide attempt in 2005, John shares how his perspective on life changed after his own mental health battle, with his focus across all facets of life shifting towards educating people around the importance of mental health. Mental health does not discriminate and can affect anyone.

Now the Voluntary Chairman of Lifeline Australia, we learn the importance of Lifeline who receive over 1 million calls from Australians each year. With an Aussie reaching out to the charity every 30 seconds, Lifeline's 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services have saved countless lives.

“I received a letter from a bloke in Darwin, on fluoro yellow paper and it said ... we all make mistakes and that's why pencils have rubbers on the other end" 

John’s insights into the world of Australian politics provide an insider look into the day-to-day life of holding an Australian leadership position. He shares his personal story of working for a politician and how making the mistake early on of thinking “I’m going to be sacked” guided him through the rest of his political career.

With 1 in 4 Australians experiencing loneliness, challenge yourself this October to focus on your mental health and check in on those around you. Australia has had an overwhelming and unprecedented year from devastating bushfires to the COVID-19 lockdown which has further exasperated prolonged feelings of isolation.

"In this extraordinary time, where no one has lived through a pandemic, certainly not as an adult, here's the first lesson: it's okay not to be okay... and do not suffer in silence" 

Lifeline is open, and someone is always there to talk to you 24/7 at 13 11 14.

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