Episode 51: Matt Newlands - Former Aussie Cop, Co-Founder of "Frontline Mental Health", Counsellor, Speaker, Educator.

Welcome to I Will Hold Space For Your Darkness; a First Responder Mental Health Podcast hosted by Erin Jane.A former Australian Police Officer and Detective, wife of an American Firefighter, previous crisis counsellor for a suicide prevention organization and current CISM trained, trauma informed and certified Life and Wellness Coach for First Responders, Emergency Services Members, Spouses and Loved Ones.This week, I have the absolute pleasure of being joined by a fellow former Aussie cop, Matt Newlands. Matt spent ten years serving with South Australian Police Force, before deteriorating mental health contributed to some poor decision making, bringing his policing career to an end.He speaks openly about this experience with Erin, sharing the depths he found himself in after the end of his service and identifying role as an officer.Matt tells Erin how he struggled in the aftermath, borrowing the belief others had in him to help get him through and find a new path for himself.He discusses how impactful it was to have others to talk to when he was in crisis and how he wanted to provide that support and comfort to other. Which is where the formation of "Frontline Mental Health" became a reality, with his co-founder, Narrelle Mason. Matt shares what the evolution of that organisation has looked like, serving those in the Emergency Services and Frontline community, leading to an opportunity to introduce the Boulder Crest Foundation's "Struggle Well" program and the concept of post traumatic growth to an Australian audience.He also discusses with Erin the collaboration with "Aussie Frontline Foundation" founded by one of his close mates Mali Briggs and how both organisations are serving the Aussie First Responder and Veteran population.Matt is a registered counsellor, an educator and speaker. He is a mental health advocate, fighting to break the stigma associated with speaking up and speaking out, especially in the Emergency Services community. By continuing to let his personal experience and struggles guide him, to assist those who currently are, he also serves as an ambassador for RUOK?This was a wonderful conversation to be a part of and I'm so thankful to Matt for taking the time to navigate Adelaide-Boston logistics to make it happen.You can reach out to Matt or find out more about Frontline Mental Health here: https://frontlinemh.com.au Find him on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mattnewlandsOr follow him on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matty.newlands/Please feel free to reach out if you'd like a topic discussed, to be a guest or are interested in receiving coaching services from Erin Jane.Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.erinjanecoaching.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinjanecoaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Call or Text: +1 617 396 4695YouTube Ep: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/gT2gJM3r2OQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find "Holding Space with Erin Jane"; every Tuesday & Thursday 2-4pm EST on The Thin Line Rock Station! Listen here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thethinlinerockstation.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠