** Content Warning **
Due to the nature of this Podcast and the discussions that I have with Guests, I feel it's important to underline that there may be content within the episodes that have the potential to cause harm. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact one of the services below for support.
In this powerful episode of Triumph Beyond Trauma , Rosie sits down with Justyn Backhouse, a former NSW Police Sergeant whose 25-year career spanned highway patrol, elite aviation support with PolAir, and some of the most intense frontline experiences imaginable.
Diagnosed with PTSD in 2021, Justyn opens up about the silent toll his career took on his mental health — from life-threatening car crashes early in his policing journey to critical incidents that shaped his final years on the job. He shares with raw honesty what it was like to hide panic attacks at work, lose confidence in his abilities, and ultimately step away from the job he loved.
We dive deep into Justyn's healing journey, including his experience with EMDR therapy, the challenges of navigating workers' compensation, and the struggle to rebuild purpose and identity after leaving the police force.
Justyn's new book Hidden Scars: From Crime Scenes to Crisis, The Price of Service is a raw, moving account of the realities faced by first responders — and a powerful reminder that healing is possible.
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who has lived the highs and lows of frontline work, or who supports someone who has.
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Roll With The Punches Podcast Episode 820
Everyday Warriors Podcast Episode 16
Emerge & See Podcast Episode 12
Find Justyn Backhouse
Mental Health Resources:
000 - Concerns for someone's immediate welfare, please call 000 (Australia)
RUOK? - Resources https://www.ruok.org.au/every-day-resources
LIFELINE, Crisis Support & Suicide Prevention - 13 11 14 - https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636 - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
1800 Respect, Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Counselling - 1800 737 732 -https://www.1800respect.org.au/
Suicide Call Back Service, 24hr free video & online counselling - 1300 659 467 -https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
Blue Knot, Empowering Recovery from Complex Trauma - 1300 650 380 - https://blueknot.org.au/
Head Space, National Youth Mental Health Foundation - https://www.headspace.com/
Black Dog Institute - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
Kids Helpline (24/7, for youth 5-25) 1800 55 1800 - https://kidshelpline.com.au/
Support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - 13 YARN (24/7) 13 92 76 - https://www.13yarn.org.au/
MensLine (24/7) 1300 78 99 78 - https://mensline.org.au/
QLife (3pm-midnight) 1800 184 527 - Anonymous, free LGBTI support - https://qlife.org.au/
