I’ll start with the disclaimer: I’m not a Psychologist. What I can say is that I’ve seen the inside of a few dark holes. I’ve personally experienced the nine yards of burnout, depression and building a life on the other side (more than once)

I live in the Newcastle community and work in technology, building, scaling and rolling out digital products across startups, not-for-profits, consulting and years in a corporate environment. My experiences span technology products in health, media, events, meal kits, community programs, and mining... burnout is everywhere.

Now I help others as a Mental Health First Aid responder in a corporate office. My colleagues can reach out to someone who understands the pressures of working full-time and the fear of slipping too deep—of reaching a point where exhaustion turns into something darker.

I’ve experienced a lifetime alongside my family who suffer from extensive mental health issues that cover anxiety, depression, addiction, psych wards and suicidal thoughts. Should my colleagues find themselves anywhere in the spectrum from burnout to breakdown, I’ve come out of it and so can you.

I’ll share my experiences and link them being in the workforce and how people can create sustainable practices that will allow them to survive the pressures of working in digital technology development.

I’ll talk about seeking psychological help, maintaining mental health, and—most importantly—making those strategies stick. Because staying afloat in a high-pressure industry isn’t just about surviving. It’s about finding ways to thrive, with mental health a part of every step.

30-60 mins