Back from the Dead | Michael & Jo Walker | Episode 9, Season 2

“It’s a great feeling not to be another statistic, and not to create more statistics for the future”
We sit down in Michael and Joe Walker’s backyard after a day of adventure in stunning Lake Coleridge. Michael begins by telling his story of public service success in the Navy, Army, DOC, and much more. He then tells a second thread, which until now had been interwoven invisibly through his story - his mental health journey…
Welcome to Season 2 of Tough Talk, Going Deeper. These conversations are shared with the intention of breaking down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health. Psychologist Sam O'Sullivan discovers solutions by asking men to share their stories.
We hear from Michael about:
-His initial unrealistic expectations of the mental health system.
-His positive experience with mental health professionals.
-The feeling of empowerment through taking personal responsibility - “Challenge your behaviours, break the cycle, have the courage to change”.
-Childhood trauma - “When demons come, and they do come in the quiet times which is why I kept myself so busy chasing those roles…it kept the demons at bay”
-Usefulness of anxiety vs burnout
-Role modelling to mates
-Support in the workplace.
We hear from Jo about:
-Supporting a partner suffering with anxiety and depression.
-The nurturing effect of unconditional love.
-Creating an environment so Michael could just be - security, stability, and routine.
-The importance of support from the community - having a laugh and experiencing a non-judgemental attitude.
-The challenge of accessing support for families, especially in a rural setting.
Michael and Jo discuss the incredible work they’re now doing in the mental health space - Clear Lower Deck is focused on veterans transitioning into civilian life. They offer subsidised packages for veterans and their families to get into the outdoors and find well-being.
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We also have two short videos being released focused on Michael’s personal tools!
It will cost $6,000 to finish Season 2 of Tough Talk by September 25th. We have already made $2,821 of our goal! We have over 2,000 followers of Tough Talk. If even half of our following donated $5, we would have $5,000.
Donate here: toughtalk.nz/donate/
We get it, everyone is asking for money nowadays. So, why is Tough Talk worth donating to?
We aren't a big organisation, and so every dollar that is donated to us, goes straight into effective content and resources free for the community to use. We don't have organisational baggage. We don't have to pay for HR meetings, health and safety, big fancy offices, staff, etc.
Curious about what costs us $6000?
Read at the very bottom for a transparent breakdown of our costs.
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Credits.
Filmed & produced by:
Kristina Ryan
Audio by:
Oliver Macro
Directed by:
Sam Sim O'Sullivan
Music:
Communicate by Isaac Chambers Music
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Breakdown
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Advertising (FB boosting): $300
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Plus, this is a full time job that we don't expect to profit from, yet we need to eat too.
Food: $1000