RFDS Outback Mental Health Manager Dr. Tim Driscoll shares the most important takeaways from his chat with Tony Wellspring about recovering from a traumatic incident. Tune in to learn the importance of support from family, friends and colleagues, why blokey blokes need to get things off their chest, and the healing effects of being listened to.

Fast advice with Dr Tim Driscoll [Part 1]

Do you know how you would handle an emergency situation, or how you would go about recovering after losing your home and livelihood? It’s a situation nobody wants to be in, but in 2019, Rockhamptom SES Local Controller Eddie Cowie had to figure out the answers to those questions - quickly. After bushfires engulfed his farm and he fought to help his community evacuate the flames, Eddie faced an unimaginable road to recovery both financially and emotionally. Here, he speaks with RFDS Clinical Lead for Outback Mental Health Dr Tim Driscoll about the steps he took, and shares how a cup of tea and conversation with a mate made the world of difference.

In conversation with SES Local Coordinator, Eddie Cowie

In the latest episode of the Small Talk, Big Difference podcast, RFDS Clinical Lead for Outback Mental Health Dr Tim Driscoll reflects on his conversation with Rockhampton SES Local Controller Eddie Cowie. Eddie experienced the impact of compounding stress when he lost his farm and livelihood in the 2019 bushfires, not long after surviving extreme droughts, and a cyclone. Faced with a long road to recovery - financially and emotionally - Eddie called upon the resources that were available to help improve his mental health. Listen to find out how a small talk made a world of difference.

Fast Advice with Dr Tim Driscoll [Part 2]

In this episode of the Small Talk, Big Difference podcast, RFDS Clinical Lead for Outback Mental Health Dr Tim Driscoll speaks with Stephanie Donovan, a Senior Mental Health Clinician in Disaster Recovery for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service. Across her career, Stephanie has worked in impacted communities of natural disasters, including supporting the Lockyer Valley community following the 2011 floods, Northern QLD after cyclone Yasi and the Sunshine Coast community after the 2019 bushfires. Here, she explains some common reactions to potentially traumatic experiences, and her advice to help people manage their mental wellbeing.

In conversation with Stephanie Donovan, Senior Mental Health Clinician at Queensland Health

You’re in for a treat as RFDS Clinical Lead for Outback Mental Health, Dr Tim Driscoll takes us through a practical minfulness exercise you can use to keep burn out at bay and to tackle stress and anxiety.

Bonus episode: mindfulness practice

Jo Mahony is pure sunshine and just the kind of person you want in your corner during a crisis. Luckily for the RFDS, Jo used her years of experience and extensive contact network to take on the role of COVID-19 Response Lead for the Flying Doctor. So what did she do to ensure the organisation’s success in navigating the pandemic and what tips and tricks does she have up her sleeve for other leaders? Listen to this episode to find out.

Protecting our Communities

Jacinta Jones is the State Manager for Aeromedical Nursing and has worked for the Flying Doctor for more than a decade. But nothing could have prepared her for flying on the front line during the pandemic. In this episode, Jacinta shared what goes through clinical staff’s minds when they retrieve COVID positive patients, how they navigated the fear that PPE gear provoked and the integral role the RFDS played in the roll out of the COVID vaccines.

Flying on the Frontline

It’s certainly no secret that the toll on our mental health was one of the most significant but often hidden costs of the pandemic. If you are still feeling the impacts of a few long and hard years, you are not alone. RFDS Clinical Lead for Outback Mental Health, Dr Tim Driscoll joins us to chat about the toolkit you will need if you’re still feeling the long term affects of the pandemic.

Caring through COVID

The holiday season is a joyous occasion but can be a difficult time for those struggling with mental health concerns.
 
Often, your GP or local health centre can be a good place to start, offering direct support and linking you in with professionals who can help you through the hard times.
 
Talking to your GP about mental health is the same as consulting a doctor about your physical health.
 
Learn more in the latest podcast episode of our Small Talk, Big Difference campaign, which is providing information and resources to help support mental health and wellbeing.

How your GP can help with your mental health

In Queensland, the RFDS employs 400 of the most highly skilled professionals in the country, from pilots to doctors, flight nurses, engineers and beyond. They keep 20 aircraft running across nine bases. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, delivering the finest care to over 290,000 Australians each year, that's one person every two minutes. 

This podcast gives you the news on the latest innovation, success and people as well as offering a behind the scenes look at the day to day operations of our Service & what it takes to keep the doctor flying!

How your GP can help with your mental health

Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section)

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