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Home > Fit for Work > 045 Learning from lived experience
Podcast: Fit for Work
Episode:

045 Learning from lived experience
Category: Business
Duration: 00:37:15
Publish Date: 2018-07-21 15:00:29
Description:

What could we learn by sharing lived-experiences of mental illness?
What difference would it make if leaders shared their own struggles with anxiety or depression?
What practical ways can we reduce stigma and promote a safe space at work?

In this episode I speak with Jerome Doraisamy who’s a Lawyer, author and lecturer. Following his own lived experience of mental illness, Jerome went on to publish ‘The Wellness Doctrines’ – survival guides for both lawyers and high school students. Jerome is a journalist for Lawyers Weekly and Wellness Daily publications and is a passionate wellness advocate.

In todays episode Jerome shares his own mental health journey and ways in which employers and employees can foster wellbeing at work.

Let’s dive in…

My 3 key takeaways from this episode with Jerome:

  1. We’ve got it backwards: Wellbeing brings success, rather than success brings wellbeing. Jerome shared that his breakthrough came following breakdown which lead to the revelation that he needed to prioritise his health as his highest priority in order to support his professional ambitions. I wonder in what way you could better serve your health, rather than sacrifice it, in order to get ahead?
  2. Speak up: A problem shared is a problem halved. By speaking with those you trust, you can draw on others to help you through tough times and be strong for you in your more vulnerable times, inside or outside of work. Jerome encouraged that if you’re suffering from compromised wellbeing to speak up in whatever way feels best for you spoken or written.
  3. Know your outlets: engage in meaningful activities that bring you joy. Take time out, read a book, exercise, hang with a friend, meditate, surf, whatever it is that keeps you head in a good space. We can forfeit responsibility for this stuff and claim we’ve got no time, but ultimately self-care is up to us, so make the time and reap the benefits at home and work.

A problem shared is a problem halved – unknown

Thanks for listening to this weeks episode of the fit for work Podcast. I’m hoping you were moved by Jerome’s story and maybe challenged to share your own lived-experience so together we can reduce the stigma of mental illness.

My dream is that one day everyone will look at mental illness in the same way they look at a broken leg – Jerome Doraisamy

Contact Jerome

Resources

 

Until next time, continue being part of the solution in taking your workplace from good to GREAT!!! See ya!

Continue the conversation at www.fitforworkaustralia.com.au, say hi on LinkedIn or flick us a personal note at sally@fitforworkaustralia.com.au.

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