Control the body and the body will control the mind.
In 2017, after nearly 10 years working FIFO shutdowns and construction, having already experienced his partners attempt to take her life due to the stress of his working away, Lachie Samuel lost two colleagues to suicide. He was also later evacuated from site for mental health issues.
Since then he has gone on to become one of the leaders in FIFO mental health, creating a top10 mental health podcast, the FIFO Mental Health Summit and The Association for Mental Health in Mining.
In 2021 he won the 'national mens health champion' award, for his work in FIFO mental health, from the Australian Mens Health Forum, Australia's peak body for mens health.
In 2022 Lachie was named a Linkedin Top Voice for Mental Health and with that, made the decision to transition from consulting as the FIFO Mental Health Guy, to creating FIFO Mental Health Group, as the first step towards finding and building a team of people who are genuinely passionate about transforming mental health culture within mining.
Talking Points
Breaking the stress circuit
Our most popular session to date, your team will learn why they think and behave the way they do, utilising neuroscience based content to understand how stress impacts the brain, thoughts, decision making and memory. Particularly useful for those who consider themselves over thinkers, worriers, negative, overwhelmed or stressed.Breaking the stress circuit
Key takeaway: Stress management can be simple and extremely effective when you understand how to control the body, to control the brain.
Changing the circuit
The follow up to breaking the circuit, this session builds on what we've learned, by covering why change can be uncomfortable, hard or stressful, as well as how to utilise the brain to accept or create the changes in our lives. Particularly useful for those introducing or accepting changes, as well as those looking to make improvements through formation of habits at work or at home.Changing the circuit
Key takeaway: Change doesn’t have to be stressful, if you know how to leverage the brain.
Psychologically safe leadership
Designed to develop a leader’s capability to create and maintain a psychologically safe environment for their team, through neuroscience based concepts. We’ll explore growth vs fixed mindset, the importance of human needs, and how to leverage the brain as a leader to take your individuals from threat detection mode, to connection and performance mode.Psychologically safe leadership
Key takeaway: Psychologically safe leadership can be as simple as helping your people meet their human needs, if you understand how to leverage the brain.
Video
Lachie Samuel | FIFO Mental Health | Saxton Speakers
Truly one of the best presentations we have had at Drillsafe. You could hear a pin drop. Absolutely unreal! ... keep reading Drillsafe
Lachie is a phenomenal human. His passion helps to inspire so many people.
I loved the approach and have to say it was one of the best mental wellbeing workshops, actually one of the best workshops I've had on site so far. I really appreciate you sharing your story with us Lachie.
Lachie Samuel was engaged for our recent regional Safety and Health representatives forum, held in Perth. Lachie delivered a highly relevant and engaging seminar on mental health and ‘breaking the stress circuit’ that was both highly relevant and very well received by the audience. The Safety and Health Representatives reported thoroughly enjoying the seminar and gaining valuable insights to take back to their teams, as a person with lived experience of being a FIFO and resources sector work, Lachie was able to communicate and engage with the audience on a personal level, leaving a lasting impact.
In September 2022 we held the GTM/Para Peer Support Forum here in Tom Price. As the Peer Support Coordinator across GTM, I was hopeful to deliver an impactful and meaningful session to raise awareness, show support and educate our peer supporters across the divisions. We were lucky enough to secure Lachie to present during the day, which without a doubt was a raging success. Engaging Lachie was seamless, his accuracy and communication was notable. The session Lachie delivered was beyond our expectations, the response from the personnel within the room was profound with a number of individuals addressing myself post forum to express their gratitude they were able to listen to Lachie’s story and messages around mental health in the mining industry. As per the new legislation showcasing a focus around psychosocial hazards/risk I believe it is more imperative than ever that we bring an ongoing spotlight to the wellbeing and mental health of our personnel. Lachie’s first hand experiences, genuine care and courage to share his story supports our values of care, curiosity and courage. I would not hesitate to engage Lachie ongoing to bring his messages and assist us in continuing to show our dedication to supporting a mentally healthy workplace.
I had the pleasure of engaging Lachie to present his ‘Breaking the Stress Circuit’ session at a West Pilbara Peer Support Forum followed by another session with our Paraburdoo Operations Teams at Eastern Ranges. To state that Lachie is brave does not do the man justice. He lays out the traumatic events of his childhood with brutal honesty and takes you on his journey where those experiences manifest themselves in the choices he made as a man. As are raw and confronting as the sessions are they are ultimately insightful and informative as Lachie delves into how the brain functions, particularly in relation to trauma and stress. He also provides practical tools that harness the body to control the mind and, as per the session’ title, ‘break the stress circuit’. As an advocate of facing your demons, taking ownership of your mistakes and emerging a better human being Lachie shines a light for us all to follow.
Lachie's delivery was first class. It was confronting and real. The ability to not only bring people into the discussion but provide tools to help with peoples own individual struggles was very unique. The end of our session with Lachie with a day of presentations/presenters it was a clear winner. Get Lachie into your teams and workplaces. He will not disappoint.
Truly one of the best presentations we have had at Drillsafe. You could hear a pin drop. Absolutely unreal!
Setting all of our MC trainee drivers up for a successful career. Nothing but great feedback from all who had the opportunity to attend.
