Matthew Newlands
Matt is an engaging speaker who uses his own experience with PTSD, learnings within the mental health sector, and background as a Police Officer to tailor a message of identity, mindset and resilience
Matt is a former Police Officer whose life spiralled out of control when he was arrested at work. His lived experiences battling Post Traumatic Stress gives him the ability to tailor a message of resilience, mindset, and leadership that creates an engaging atmosphere and a touching experience that will stay with you.
Matt shares his own inspirational story about lost-identity and triumph over adversity. After 10 years as a front-line Police Officer with SA Police, witnessing constant human depravity and the failings of the system, Matt was diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress and Depression. Matt almost lost his marriage and family and was battling suicidal thoughts when his deep depression and reckless behaviour led to his arrest whilst at work in 2015.
The following years resulted in intense recovery, working through a serious identity crisis and challenging his core values. Matt shares his learnings around the importance of community, values-based decision-making, challenging the individuals/organisations on their values; and how they make decisions in everyday life to better serve their goals or purpose.
Matt now works as a Mental Health Advocate for emergency services and military personnel using his lived experience to encourage difficult conversations around mental health self-awareness in attempts to change organisational culture.
Matt is also a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, a registered Counsellor, and an R U OK? Day Ambassador.
Matt is a former Police Officer whose life spiralled out of control when he was arrested at work. His lived experiences battling Post Traumatic Stress gives him the ability to tailor a message of resilience, mindset, and leadership that creates an engaging atmosphere and a touching experience that will stay with you.
Matt shares his own inspirational story about lost-identity and triumph over adversity. After 10 years as a front-line Police Officer with SA Police, witnessing constant human depravity and the failings of the system, Matt was diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress and Depression. Matt almost lost his marriage and family and was battling suicidal thoughts when his deep depression and reckless behaviour led to his arrest whilst at work in 2015.
The following years resulted in intense recovery, working through a serious identity crisis and challenging his core values. Matt shares his learnings around the importance of community, values-based decision-making, challenging the individuals/organisations on their values; and how they make decisions in everyday life to better serve their goals or purpose.
Matt now works as a Mental Health Advocate for emergency services and military personnel using his lived experience to encourage difficult conversations around mental health self-awareness in attempts to change organisational culture.
Matt is also a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, a registered Counsellor, and an R U OK? Day Ambassador.
Importance of Community on Mental Health
Matt shares his own insights about his own journey out of PTSD and depression by surrounding himself with community. Topics on fostering a healthy work culture of peer support and the importance of community.
Values-based Decision Making
Matt shares his personal experience as a former Police Officer and how our job or employment does not define who we are as a person. Covering topics in leadership training, resilience, identity and wellbeing strategies.
Peer Designed & Led Wellbeing Programs
Matt speaks about the important area of peer-led well-being programs for Military and Emergency Services personnel, available programs, and their effectiveness.
Matt has been developing, delivering, and training peer-led programs since 2018.
Mental Health First Aid Training
Matt is a qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, training Mental Health First Aiders in the community and workplace. Matt co-facilitates each course with another Level 2 qualified Counsellor to ensure the content is delivered in a safe and supportive environment for people to ask difficult questions and have meaningful conversations around mental health.
R U OK?
Matt is an R U OK? community ambassador, who volunteers his time on R U OK? Day (Sep 8) each year but is available all year round to deliver the R U OK? message virtually or pre-recorded to better suit your organisation's needs.
