Never the Same

In this moving conversation, Dr Tony Pisani speaks with Steve Wickham, a workplace health and safety professional, chaplain, and writer. Steve shares his remarkable journey from his early days as a tradesman in Western Australia, through personal trials of grief, loss, and recovery, to his current roles supporting first responders and families.

With honesty and warmth, Steve opens up about the people who shaped his path, the importance of kinship and purpose, and the lessons he has learned from decades of walking alongside others in crisis. His reflections highlight the power of presence, humility, and hope in the face of life’s deepest challenges.
Guest Bio: 
Steve Wickham is a chaplain, pastor, and writer based in Western Australia. He began his career as a tradesman before moving into health and safety in 1997, working for decades as a safety professional. Today, he serves as a part-time chaplain with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and Children and Families Pastor at a Baptist church. 

Referenced Resources: 
The Entitlement Cure — Dr John Townsend
Heartfelt (Australia) — photography and support for families experiencing stillbirth and infant loss
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (WA) — wellness and chaplaincy support
Production credits: 
Hannah Corcoran, Producer and Senior Editor https://www.linkedin.com/in/h-corcoran/
Annie Lewis, Content Manager https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-lewis-304854117/ 
Luke Pisani, Music https://www.instagram.com/lukepisani_/
(c) 2024. SafeSide Media, LLC.

In this special episode of Never the Same, we share the full keynote address from host, Professor Tony Pisani, delivered at the Suicide Prevention Australia Conference.

Professor Pisani explores how the structure of our relationships—not just how supported we feel—can protect people from suicide risk. Drawing on studies in schools, the military, and health settings, he shows how strong, shared connections make a difference, especially when people don’t or can’t speak up.

He introduces the Connect Program, a group-based training that strengthens team cohesion and reduces suicide risk without needing people to self-identify. The episode also includes real-world examples from Western Australia and beyond.

It explores not only the importance of social structure in prevention, but HOW we can build those networks. 

Key Points Covered
Why social structure matters in suicide prevention
The power of shared trusted adults in reducing suicide risk
How Connect builds protective networks
Insights from high school and military research
Shifting suicide reviews from blame to learning
Local examples from Western Australia, including first responder initiatives and postvention pilots
🔗 Resources Mentioned
SafeSide Prevention: https://safesideprevention.com.au
Connect Program: WA Workplace Connect info page
Never the Same podcast home: Podcast page

In this episode of "Never the Same," Tony Pisani sits down with two of Western Australia's leading mental health voices: Maureen Lewis, Mental Health Commissioner since 2023, and Dr. Nathan Gibson, Chief Psychiatrist since 2013. Together, they represent both the vision for reform and the clinical guardrails of accountability in Western Australia’s mental health system.
The conversation explores their unique roles in the mental health landscape, from commissioning services to regulatory oversight. They share insights on strategic leadership, including frameworks for crisis decision-making and the importance of "thinking time" in complex systems. The discussion covers First Nations mental health approaches, the integration of lived experience voices, and their shift toward trauma-informed care.

Both leaders reflect on their accidental paths to leadership, the challenges of managing a mental health system across one of the world's largest geographic health services, and what gives them hope for the future. Their candid discussion offers valuable lessons for anyone interested in systemic change and leadership in challenging environments.

Guests:
Maureen Lewis was appointed Mental Health Commissioner for Western Australia in July 2023. In this role, she oversees the commissioning of all mental health and drug and alcohol services in Western Australia, a role that combines purchasing decisions with advocacy. 
Dr. Nathan Gibson has served as Western Australia's Chief Psychiatrist since 2013. He provides independent regulatory oversight under the Mental Health Act. His focus includes standards of care, quality, safety, and reducing restrictive practices across public and private psychiatric services.
Host Dr. Tony Pisani is a professor, clinician, and founder of SafeSide Prevention, leading its mission to build safer, more connected military, health, education, and workplace communities.

In this inspiring instalment of Never the Same, host Dr Tony Pisani welcomes Professor Pat Dudgeon, the first Aboriginal psychologist in Australia and a global voice for First Nations mental health. 

Pat describes how confronting the racism in the system sparked her mission to “decolonise” psychology and build a new framework called Social and Emotional Wellbeing, a model that places self, family, community, culture, and Country at the centre of healing.
Across the episode, Pat and Tony revisit moments such as the Ways Forward national report, discuss why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide demands distinct responses, and celebrate community-led successes, from Indigenous Rangers caring for land to universities rewriting psychology curricula. 
Key Points
Pat’s path to becoming the first Aboriginal psychologist
Origins and pillars of the SEWB paradigm
The Ways Forward report and Boat Shed Declaration
Distinct drivers of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander suicide
Success stories: Indigenous Rangers, psychology curriculum reform
The role of climate action and caring for Country 
Resources Mentioned
Ways Forward: National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Policy Report 
SEWB model diagram & “Working Together” chapter 
Dance of Life wellbeing model by Prof Helen Milroy
Sweetgrass Research Method — Dr Mark Standing Eagle Baez
Indigenous Rangers Program (Australia) 
Professor Pat Dudgeon is a Bardi woman from the Kimberley and Australia’s first Aboriginal psychologist. She co-chairs the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention and advocates for culturally informed mental-health systems worldwide.

Dr. Tony Pisani is a professor, clinician, and founder of SafeSide Prevention, leading its mission to build safer, more connected military, health, education, and workplace communities.

Alan Woodward has spent decades strengthening crisis services around the world — from answering calls on the Lifeline crisis line to advising government leaders and building new programs. In this episode, Alan reflects on what it takes to face hard moments, how crisis services save lives, and why kindness (to others and ourselves) matters more than we realise.
Together, we explore the lessons Alan learned growing up in a coastal city in Australia, navigating career changes, managing anxiety, and staying committed to making the world better.
Guest:
Alan Woodward is a global leader in crisis support and suicide prevention. His work spans decades of service as a researcher, advocate, and advisor to governments and organisations, with deep roots in community-based care.
Host:
Dr. Tony Pisani is a professor, clinician, and founder of SafeSide Prevention, leading its mission to build safer, more connected military, health, education, and workplace communities.
Resources and References Mentioned: 
Madelyn Gould, Columbia University – suicide prevention research.
Consensus Statement on Crisis Support from international crisis line networks
International Association for Suicide Prevention – work on decriminalisation of suicide 
Lifeline International – Alan’s current organisation 
Ghana's Decriminalisation of Suicide – paper 
Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy – released this year 
Professor Rory O’Connor – theory of suicide and the role of entrapment
Royal Commission into Robodebt (Australia) – Submission from Suicide Prevention Australia