Jacinta Jones is the State Manager for Aeromedical Nursing and has worked for the Flying Doctor for more than a decade. But nothing could have prepared her for flying on the front line during the pandemic. In this episode, Jacinta shared what goes through clinical staff’s minds when they retrieve COVID positive patients, how they navigated the fear that PPE gear provoked and the integral role the RFDS played in the roll out of the COVID vaccines.

Flying on the Frontline

It’s certainly no secret that the toll on our mental health was one of the most significant but often hidden costs of the pandemic. If you are still feeling the impacts of a few long and hard years, you are not alone. RFDS Clinical Lead for Outback Mental Health, Dr Tim Driscoll joins us to chat about the toolkit you will need if you’re still feeling the long term affects of the pandemic.

Caring through COVID

Stephanie Donovan

In this episode of the Small Talk, Big Difference podcast, RFDS Clinical Lead for Outback Mental Health Dr Tim Driscoll speaks with Stephanie Donovan, a Senior Mental Health Clinician in Disaster Recovery for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service. Across her career, Stephanie has worked in impacted communities of natural disasters, including supporting the Lockyer Valley community following the 2011 floods, Northern QLD after cyclone Yasi and the Sunshine Coast community after the 2019 bushfires. Here, she explains some common reactions to potentially traumatic experiences, and her advice to help people manage their mental wellbeing.

In conversation with Stephanie Donovan, Senior Mental Health Clinician at Queensland Health

Tim Driscoll

In the latest episode of the Small Talk, Big Difference podcast, RFDS Clinical Lead for Outback Mental Health Dr Tim Driscoll reflects on his conversation with Rockhampton SES Local Controller Eddie Cowie. Eddie experienced the impact of compounding stress when he lost his farm and livelihood in the 2019 bushfires, not long after surviving extreme droughts, and a cyclone. Faced with a long road to recovery - financially and emotionally - Eddie called upon the resources that were available to help improve his mental health. Listen to find out how a small talk made a world of difference.

Fast Advice with Dr Tim Driscoll [Part 2]

Do you know how you would handle an emergency situation, or how you would go about recovering after losing your home and livelihood? It’s a situation nobody wants to be in, but in 2019, Rockhamptom SES Local Controller Eddie Cowie had to figure out the answers to those questions - quickly. After bushfires engulfed his farm and he fought to help his community evacuate the flames, Eddie faced an unimaginable road to recovery both financially and emotionally. Here, he speaks with RFDS Clinical Lead for Outback Mental Health Dr Tim Driscoll about the steps he took, and shares how a cup of tea and conversation with a mate made the world of difference.

In conversation with SES Local Coordinator, Eddie Cowie

RFDS Outback Mental Health Manager Dr. Tim Driscoll shares the most important takeaways from his chat with Tony Wellspring about recovering from a traumatic incident. Tune in to learn the importance of support from family, friends and colleagues, why blokey blokes need to get things off their chest, and the healing effects of being listened to.

Fast advice with Dr Tim Driscoll [Part 1]

The 2019 bushfires left destruction and devastation in their wake, and will forever be burnt into the memories of those who encountered them. In this episode of the Small Talk, Big Difference podcast we talk to one of those people about his experience. Tony Wellspring is a high school teacher and Rural Fire Brigade volunteer from Yeppoon who responded to the 2019 bushfires. Here, he shares his advice about the importance of seeking support from others, and how to recover from such an event.

In conversation with Rural Fire Brigade Volunteer, Tony Wellspring

A regular relaxation and meditation practice enables the body and mind to deeply rest and relax, providing a restorative break from busyness for the mind and body. This guided meditation will take you through a full body relaxation.

Guided Meditation - Revive

A regular relaxation and meditation practice enables the body and mind to deeply rest and relax, providing a restorative break from busyness for the mind and body. This guided meditation will take you through a  full body relaxation.

Guided Meditation - Release

Guided Meditation - Relax

In Queensland, the RFDS employs 400 of the most highly skilled professionals in the country, from pilots to doctors, flight nurses, engineers and beyond. They keep 20 aircraft running across nine bases. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, delivering the finest care to over 290,000 Australians each year, that's one person every two minutes. This podcast gives you the news on the latest innovation, success and people as well as offering a behind the scenes look at the day to day operations of our Service &amp; what it takes to keep the doctor flying!

This episode focusses on how to have a conversation with someone if you are concerned about their mental health. It offers practical tips for how to approach the conversation, and why it is important to do so.

This episode focusses on how to have a conversation with someone if you are concerned about their mental health. It offers practical tips for how to approach the conversation, and why it is important to do so.

Having conversations about mental health

Communication is key to maintaining positive personal and professional relationships. In the latest episode of our RFDS podcast, Senior Mental Health Clinician Sharyn Bunn explores why healthy communication can be hard to achieve. By thinking about how we can communicate, we can improve the effectiveness of our communication skills.

Communication is key to maintaining positive personal and professional relationships. In the latest episode of our RFDS podcast, Senior Mental Health Clinician Sharyn Bunn explores why healthy communication can be hard to achieve. By thinking about how we can communicate, we can improve the effectiveness of our communication skills.

Using communication to maintain positive personal and professional relationships

What can you do if substance use is negatively impacting on your life or someone that you know?This podcast episode of our Small Talk, Big Difference campaign explores drug and alcohol harm minimisation, providing information to help yourself or others.

What can you do if substance use is negatively impacting on your life or someone that you know? This podcast episode of our Small Talk, Big Difference campaign explores drug and alcohol harm minimisation, providing information to help yourself or others.

What to do if substance use is negatively impacting on your life or someone that you know

The holiday season is a joyous occasion but can be a difficult time for those struggling with mental health concerns. Often, your GP or local health centre can be a good place to start, offering direct support and linking you in with professionals who can help you through the hard times. Talking to your GP about mental health is the same as consulting a doctor about your physical health. Learn more in the latest podcast episode of our Small Talk, Big Difference campaign, which is providing information and resources to help support mental health and wellbeing.

The holiday season is a joyous occasion but can be a difficult time for those struggling with mental health concerns.   Often, your GP or local health centre can be a good place to start, offering direct support and linking you in with professionals who can help you through the hard times.   Talking to your GP about mental health is the same as consulting a doctor about your physical health.   Learn more in the latest podcast episode of our Small Talk, Big Difference campaign, which is providing information and resources to help support mental health and wellbeing.

How your GP can help with your mental health

This time of year can provide a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with a loved one. Building a loving relationship, or repairing one, takes time, effort and commitment. This podcast episode explores intimate relationships with your spouse or partner. The principles, however, can be applied to enhance and enrich any relationship. Learn about the processes which are detrimental to intimacy and vitality and receive practical advice to nurture your relationships. The podcast forms part of our Small Talk, Big Difference campaign, which is providing information and resources to help support their mental health and wellbeing.

This time of year can provide a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with a loved one.   Building a loving relationship, or repairing one, takes time, effort and commitment.   This podcast episode explores intimate relationships with your spouse or partner. The principles, however, can be applied to enhance and enrich any relationship.   Learn about the processes which are detrimental to intimacy and vitality and receive practical advice to nurture your relationships.   The podcast forms part of our Small Talk, Big Difference campaign, which is providing information and resources to help support their mental health and wellbeing.

How to have healthy intimate relationships

Chatting to friends and family can seem like second nature to some of us, but for others it can be difficult, and even more so during the pandemic. Technology has changed the way we communicate and is helping us stay connected, especially for those living in rural and remote Australia. From family friendly games to voice activated messaging, there is something for everyone to stay in touch. Belinda Challis who is the ICT Service Manager for the RFDS talks tech, security and all you need to know to keep safe and connected during the pandemic.

Using technology to beat isolation and stress

Learning the art of saying ‘no’ can help manage feelings of being stressed and overwhelmed with life. If you are always running on empty and find it difficult to say ‘no,’ then Dr Tim Driscoll from the RFDS Outback Mental Health team has some simple strategies that could help you manage daily demands, reduce your stress and improve your overall wellbeing.

Learning the art of saying 'no' and other tips to manage stress

Relaxing is not something we think about when we are stressed and overwhelmed, but taking some time out of your day to be mindful and present can actually help reduce burn out. Sharyn Bunn is a Senior Mental Health Clinician for the RFDS, who explains how to practice relaxation techniques, how to make time in your busy day and other ways to quiet your mind. It might surprise you to find  out how simple changes can make a big difference to your productivity, sleep and general wellbeing.

How to relax and reduce stress

Sleeping is something we all do, but it’s not always as simple as hopping into bed and nodding off.For some catching forty winks can be tricky and not getting enough sleep or of having poor quality sleep can seriously affect our mental health.The good news is that there are many things you can do to get a better nights sleep!Cath Walker is an RFDS Mental Health and Well-being Consultant for the RFDS (Queensland Section).

Sleeping is something we all do, but it’s not always as simple as hopping into bed and nodding off. For some catching forty winks can be tricky and not getting enough sleep or of having poor quality sleep can seriously affect our mental health. The good news is that there are many things you can do to get a better nights sleep! Cath Walker is an RFDS Mental Health and Well-being Consultant for the RFDS (Queensland Section).

How to sleep better

In this 3 part-series, you’ll hear the stories of 3 different nursing careers from within the organization - from an outback flight nurse, to a male flight nurse and a former nurse, now our CEO.This time, you’ll hear from RFDS Queensland Section CEO, Meredith Staib who started out her career as a retrieval nurse on the Sunshine Coast. There are two consistent themes in Meredith’s career – medicine and aviation.In this interview, you'll hear more about her journey from retrieval nurse to CEO.

In this 3 part-series, you’ll hear the stories of 3 different nursing careers from within the organization - from an outback flight nurse, to a male flight nurse and a former nurse, now our CEO. This time, you’ll hear from RFDS Queensland Section CEO, Meredith Staib who started out her career as a retrieval nurse on the Sunshine Coast. There are two consistent themes in Meredith’s career – medicine and aviation. In this interview, you'll hear more about her journey from retrieval nurse to CEO.

Nursing at Altitude: Meredith Staib, RFDS Queensland CEO

In Queensland, the RFDS employs 400 of the most highly skilled professionals in the country, from pilots to doctors, flight nurses, engineers and beyond. They keep 20 aircraft running across nine bases. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, delivering the finest care to over 290,000 Australians each year, that's one person every two minutes. This podcast gives you the news on the latest innovation, success and people as well as offering a behind the scenes look at the day to day operations of our Service &amp; what it takes to keep the doctor flying!

Royal Flying Doctor Queensland (Section) Podcast

The best podcast episodes on global issues affecting everyone. Covering topics such as the #metoo movement, climate change, the impact of technology and some of the biggest global issues facing us right now. For anyone interested in learning more about the world, and some of the issues we're facing, pick an episode below and start listening! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Global Issues

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!