Invisible Injuries - Podcast

Following "Tunnel Rat", Vietnam Veteran & author Brian Hopkins guest episode is a special series of 6 audio narrations of poems from his book "When Therapy Fails" (WTF!?  pardon the pun)

WTF 4 - The Bonus Round
Cover art - Brian Hopkins @ Hollywood Clinic

Contact -  Brian Hopkins
Books - When therapy fails via Pickawoowoo publishing group & by contacting Invisible Injuries - [email protected]
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

Support the show

In this episode we speak with Mike House, survivalist, agent for organisational change, public speaker and author.  

Mike was initially moved by the statistics around civilian loses in the outback, especially WA, due to an adverse event and walking away from their vehicle.   Either self rescue or by other means, there is a critical 48  – 72 hour survival period which very much depends on how the lost person reacts.  Sadly 24 hours and 24 kilometres from their vehicle is the harsh average death  in remote settings.   So Mike teaches not to go for the comfort zone but know what to do.  Survival  and adventure skills go hand in hand, something that the military and first responders do well.  Of course today there is a lot of technical stuff to help with outdoor pursuits but  what  happens  if equipment is not available and you have to improvise… that’s the question Mike found himself considering.   As skill and confidence increases from his programs, having a little water, your clothes and a pocket survival kit means you can start from nothing.

So putting yourself in adverse circumstances with limited resources, mindset is the next big consideration.   How people behave under pressure.   Who cares how you got  there,  concentrate your energy on surviving long enough to get out alive.   Mike takes everyday items and puts them through a multipurpose lense to consider different ways to use them for survival.  He talks through his  thinking,   So this has happened, not ideal, what can be done about it, acceptance with its consequences or play the game to change the outcome.   They  discuss shoe laces and personal disposition about  consequences of action or lack of it.   

In the military you can’t cry when shit happens or blame someone else Andy comments, you have to crack on with the resources you have with a sense of urgency and worry about the rest later.  With regard to PTS the takeaway here is recognising you’ve been impacted by it.  Don’t sit around waiting for a place here or there, programs, funding etc.  Meantime you are responsible for your own survival and safety.  Use whatever resources are at hand right now.   

Mike makes a bike riding analogy about what’s effective thinking when things have gone sideways.  Think it through, don’t be reactive be adaptive.  We are motivated by certainty unless we change our mindset.

Contact -  Mike House
Website: www.mikehouse.com.au
Claim your FREE hard copy of the book (to the first 10 listeners who ask for it)
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

Support the show

Following "Tunnel Rat", Vietnam Veteran & author Brian Hopkins guest episode is a special series of 6 audio narrations of poems from his book "When Therapy Fails" (WTF!?  pardon the pun)

WTF 3 - A Companion Awaits
Cover art - Brian Hopkins @ Hollywood Clinic

Contact -  Brian Hopkins
Books - When therapy fails via Pickawoowoo publishing group & by contacting Invisible Injuries - [email protected]
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

Support the show

In the concluding episode to April's story, she touches on the difficulties for the partner at home with the reduced contacts that go with deployment.   “Any tips for listeners Andy asks from the perspective of the partner at home who hasn’t served to ease this space?”

April shares her own experience of that disconnect, phone calls few and far between and the  desperation not to miss them.   Staying connected to the familiar, in April’s case, Bens military circle kept her closer to him.  Where that’s not possible get on with fulfilling your own goals in life and don’t let your disconnect define your living she advised.  What’s her impressions of then and now partnering  when Bens away in his current role Andy asked.   The context is different, the worry is different and  transitioning out of the Army, April gives her views.  Again, knowing Bens environment both as individuals and a highly trained team,   April has squared away thoughts as a partner to a First Responder and  explains her thinking.

With a change of lens, Andy asks April (who today holds a Masters in Psychology, Batchelor of Science and a wealth of experience with diverse people in high stress jobs or suffering trauma,) as a clinical psychologist, what are some of the common techniques that come to mind?   April explains the environment of trauma that she works  with, mostly first responder as apposed to military presentations.   She defines Complex Trauma as big T and little t as Trauma.   Also in there are early trauma and repeated trauma.   So the usual presentation is the stoic “holding the cracks together.”  
Inside there may be turmoil.   Flash backs, disassociation, panic attacks, overwhelmed, overstimulated by noise, anger etc with a common theme of feeling powerless and no control.  People don’t always open at the first session and trust has to be developed.  They may fear not being able to shove emotions back in the box.   It takes courage to step up and be vulnerable.  Next  they  realise they can have tools to short circuit the triggers.  

Andy presses for common techniques and tools to help our listeners in the moment of a trigger.  April kindly gives specifics for our listens to try.   They discuss these at some length.  Calming the body, grounding tools, breathing techniques including 54321 and  478 and how to do it.  Out and about in public?   If your triggered, what you can do.   Most important takeaway TELL SOMEONE.  If “that someone” reaches out to you, how to respond.   April acknowledges people can be “shits” but are by far very responsive to distress.  

Contact -  April Kane
Website: https://greatmindstherapy.com.au/
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

Support the show

Following "Tunnel Rat", Vietnam Veteran & author Brian Hopkins guest episode is a special series of 6 audio narrations of poems from his book "When Therapy Fails" (WTF!?  pardon the pun)

WTF 2 - The Frog
Cover art - Brian Hopkins @ Hollywood Clinic

Contact -  Brian Hopkins
Books - When therapy fails via Pickawoowoo publishing group & by contacting Invisible Injuries - [email protected]
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

Support the show

Following "Tunnel Rat", Vietnam Veteran & author Brian Hopkins guest episode is a special series of 6 audio narrations of poems from his book "When Therapy Fails" (WTF!?  pardon the pun)

WTF 1 - A Silent Scream
Cover art - Brian Hopkins @ Hollywood Clinic

Contact -  Brian Hopkins
Books - When therapy fails via Pickawoowoo publishing group & by contacting Invisible Injuries - [email protected]
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

Support the show

In this episode of the podcast Andy speaks with his close friend April Kane.

They have known each other some 20 years, she has the unique perspective  of  being  a wife, a mother, a Veteran herself, married to a Veteran and  current first responder.  April is also a specialist psychologist in the mental health area.   

Indecisive about her direction post high school, April  became interested in  Psychology.   As a child growing up  overseas and a chance comment by her Mum, April found herself walking into the recruiters office and leaving as a Navy Electronic Warfare Linguist.  Testing with a high score and being told it was a high security role,  sounded pretty exciting.  So off to basic training at HAMS Cerberus, Melbourne.   You learn quickly about team work, pushing yourself and challenges which is fine as it wasn’t intended as a long term career.   April explains her rationale at that time and under the guidance of an RAF Warrant Officer she found a facilitator.    Then she was enrolled in an  undergraduate Batchelor Of Science Psychology part time.  They touch on repurposing military skills post ADF.

On her first trip from Melbourne to Perth April discovered she was prone to acute seasickness.

Navy Postings after that were difficult with her being non functional at sea.   Eventually the Navy had to make a decision but not before April became extremely stressed prior to the beginning of each working week as her mental health suffered.  Literally dreading every week for 12 months and lots  of judgement in that  “it couldn’t possibly be THAT bad.”  One incident left her extremely exposed in front of her shipmates.   Psychologically it was a very difficult for April with diminished responsibilities in her team due to continued sea sickness.   Recriminating self talk, an inability to perform her job but craving  the life she trained for and unable to follow through.   There  was no control and certainly as she waited for an alternative direction  on “short postings.”   

Stay tuned for the concluding episode to Aprils journey in part 2 where they explore  inside a Veteran/First Responder relationships.

Contact -  April Kane
Website: https://greatmindstherapy.com.au/
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

Support the show

In the concluding episode Andy presses RFS first responder (Deputy Captain), podcast host and author Adam Blum about the circumstances around his turning point.  Tired of living in emotional pain,  his psychologist encouraged him to look at the root causes at a similar time that Adam was reaching the same conclusion.  Adam went for Gastric banding surgery to solve increasing weight, diagnosis of borderline diabetes and reduced life.   That diagnosis was a new low point in Adams life as he  walked out of the GPs surgery at only 27 with a life expectancy of 34.   

Post surgery it changed his life astronomically.  Being vulnerable,  from a clinical stand point with some hard truths, moved Adam forward. Post surgery there were a lot of side effects.  It  was exactly as his specialist said and began immediately after.  No quick fix, Adam dedicated himself through a nutritionist to getting his health back and no longer grazes on the wrong foods..  Essential to a good recovery journey is forming your own health team as Adam outlined.   He now has a personal trainer coach for Triathlon training, Sarah Watson, a former Army Intelligence Major.  He expands on how he met her and despite her living 3 hours away Sarah keeps him accountable on his three disciplines of triathlon training.   There are goals set around that.  What about sharks and the ocean swims Andy enquires?   Mindset was the reply then Adam expanded on competition, team sports, individual PB, he  felt that his pursuit covers it all, further, the voice that said “you’ll ever amount to anything “ is a distant memory.   

A positive mindset has has opened many doors and opportunities, even a work promotion.  Adam continues that  every day isn’t blue skies but the good days outweigh the bad now.   Coming from a military family Adam initially wanted to sign up.   Not being selected was yet another low point that said “ you don’t fit in.”  But life came through with an aligned but different pathway where Adam feels he has still connected with that community and found his tribe.   At disappointment you learn, you adapt and overcome.   You don’t listen to that negative voice because some of the best moments have grown out of the biggest setbacks. 

Contact -  Adam Blum
Facebook True Blue Conversations: https://www.facebook.com/truebluehistorypodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.blum.52
Listen to the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/truebluehistorypodcast
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

Support the show

Andy introduces our first “Firey”  RFS (Rural Fire Service) first responder, Adam Blum of Blue Mountains Brigade.

Andy and Adam touch on the diagnosis of ADHD and what the landscape looked like back then as a relatively unchartered disorder.  Adam mentioned in his recent book his parents attracted a lot of criticism for medicating him and his brother.  His parents, after much research committed to a program against fierce family opposition and kept specialists appointments for reviews.   Adam expands on his mindset at that time including the stigma of a disability.   How he managed to push against opinions and personal  challenges.

When the  RFS came through the Blue Mountains to protect homes from bush fires Christmas 2001/2002, Adam was 8 years old.   It ignited a  fire in Adam as he watched them work.  At 19 years Adam finally entered the RFS as a volunteer and shared some of the character building jobs that went into those years before finally becoming a paid firefighter.  Wild fires complex calculations that the public wouldn’t know about.  Given his personal challenges, Adam continued to fight to the top of his profession and what motivated him.  Conversely, the bad bush fire season of 2019-2020 which severely tested him with things he’d never seen a fire previously do.  The subject of Trauma and suicide comes to the surface and what Adam feels acerbated his suicide attempt in 2016.

Adams book has a detailed section on his attempted suicide  but he was okay to expand on the circumstances in this episode in the hope that it may spark a message to the audience.   Specifically incorrect self talk put there by ugly speaking influencers contributing to the way down of his mental state and the patience and purpose to “self elevate” out of dark despair.   Adam gives time lines to form his own “mental health team” to outline what a real-time recovery might look like.   Quick fixes don’t exist and flipping the pain to drive recovery. 

Dealing with judgment and misinformed people whilst in that vulnerable state with simple answers when this is a complex problem with unique individuals requiring a unique way back to living.  It’s when you break out of the “real men don’t speak” mantra that you can get traction, they agreed and went deeper into discussing the turning point in more detail.   

Contact -  Adam Blum
Facebook True Blue Conversations: https://www.facebook.com/truebluehistorypodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.blum.52
Listen to the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/truebluehistorypodcast
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

Support the show

This week we conclude Vietnam Veteran, Tunnel Rat and poetry author Brian Hopkin's episode. 

Brian connected with other Vietnam Veterans after his ADF service.   Marriages weren’t known to last for Veterans in general, so they discussed the role Brian’s wife played inside the storms through the good and bad days.   They discussed the roller coaster of PTSD and the sharing of those experiences with a support person.    

Through clinics, medication changes,  cycling off meds, cycling up, trying new treatments and what Margaret did at the time that helped Brian.   In the 90s Brian attended PTS De Force along with his wife and that’s where he first began writing about what he was feeling.   The Silent Scream was his first work about looking for help and not knowing where to find it.   A chance meeting with a fellow inpatient in the PTS program opened up the idea and Brian practiced his new writing craft in the safe space of a clinic.  Around the year 2000 Brian went on to self publish and sell  booklets  by word of mouth.   He donated the proceeds to charity with the motivation to help that one person.   

Brian explained his ways  to de-escalate stress and manage avoidance behaviours including the “I not knowing what to do, or where to go” when your mind disintegrates and you just want to be left alone .  “Are you okay” wasn’t effective for Brian but other simple types of communication he did find worked to calm him.  Constant migraines, ketamine, some LSD or CBD oils, Botox  for pain management.   One size doesn’t fit all. 
If this has been helpful join us next time for the next episode of the invisible injuries podcast. Don't forget to subscribe. For more great content, follow us on our socials on Instagram. And you can also visit our website www dot invisible injuries.org.au where you can access more content. Thank you for listening to invisible injuries.

Contact -  Brian Hopkins
Books - When therapy fails via Pickawoowoo publishing group & by contacting Invisible Injuries - [email protected]
Help Lines Open Arms (VVCS) | Lifeline | RedSix app

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 

During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

"RESPECT, NO POLITICS, WE'RE VOLUNTEERS"

Disclaimer: The accounts and stories are "Real lived experiences" of our guests some of the content may trigger Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms in some of our audience. Feedback regarding other organisations, courses and initiatives remains largely unsensored. Whether its good or bad they remain the OPINION of our guests and their experiences it is important in building an accurate statistic on what really happens. 
During the course of our conversations sometimes sensitive information may be accidentally mentioned, as such, Invisible Injuries respects the law and sensors any information that may breach Operational Security OPSEC

Support the show