DRA Guest Speaker Series with Matt Newlands

Disaster Relief Australia | October 2020



Disaster Relief Australia was privileged to be joined by Mat Newlands as part of our Guest Speaker Series on 15th October 2020.

Matt worked as a Police Officer with the South Australian Police from 2006 until 2016, in varied roles from general patrol duties, uniform tactical teams, plain clothes criminal investigation teams and finished his career with the State Tactical Response Group.

Matt was diagnosed with PTSD and depression in 2015 as a result of accumulative trauma, and the suicide of a colleague, which ultimately resulted in his life spiralling out of control and a dramatic separation from SAPOL in 2016.

Matt now uses his lived experience of struggling with mental illness and his journey through recovery, to speak with emergency services and community groups about mental health self-awareness and understanding the importance of connection and conversation.

Matt’s candour in discussing his experiences was appreciated.  We encourage you to watch the insightful session on the DRA YouTube channel.

View the entire DRA guest speaker series