Mental Health

Having spent most of his life as a senior executive for organisations like Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Morgan & Banks and AT Kearney, Graeme Cowan’s life hit a seemingly insurmountable roadblock in 2000, when he was diagnosed with severe depression. Five years and numerous hard setbacks and decisions later, Graeme emerged not only with the bestselling book BACK FROM THE BRINK to his name, but also with a new attitude towards the traditional ways that companies and individuals approach adversity. His second book won a national mental health award, and he is also the author of the report “Best Practice in Managing Mental Health in the Workplace" which shows the quantitative benefits of building corporate resilience.

In 2000 Graeme Cowan went through a five year episode of depression which his psychiatrist described as the worst he had ever treated. This experience has fuelled his passion to prevent other people from suffering a similar fate.

Five years and numerous hard setbacks and decisions later, Graeme emerged not only with the bestselling book Back from the Brink to his name, but also with a new attitude towards the traditional ways that companies and individuals approach adversity. His second book, Back from the Brink Too: Helping your Loved One Overcome Depression won a national mental health award, and he is also the author of the report Best Practice in Managing Mental Health in the Workplace which shows the quantitative benefits of building corporate resilience. He is also a Director of RUOK? Day and the creator of the R U OK? atWork program.

His knowledge is based on interviewing over 3000 people to understand their bounce factor, combined with exhaustive evidence based research. This confluence of practice and theory has changed the paradigm on how to turn adversity into an inspired and meaningful life.

With depression and anxiety disorders currently accounting for 34% of all lost productivity, knowing how to thrive during changing times is essential. Conversely, a recent Harvard Business Review study shows that employees with a positive mood are 300% more creative, 31% more productive, and sell 37% more than their low mood colleagues. This highlights how imperative it is optimize both employee performance AND mood. It is the key to sustained performance.

In his early career Graeme worked as a Marketing Manager with Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, and then worked in recruitment, career planning, and culture change with Morgan and Banks, before becoming Joint Managing Director with AT Kearney Executive Search. He shares case studies from 20 years applying successful productivity improvement strategies in his presentations.

Presentation Style

Graeme speaks regularly at conferences in Australia and internationally. Thousands of people around the world have benefited from his knowledge through seeing him in person, in the media, reading his books, or via webinars. He has presented to diverse groups ranging from the leadership team of multinational organisations, to people immobilised by the dual diagnosis of cancer and depression.

Graeme comes across as the “ordinary guy", with deep authenticity and fascinating stories from his travel to 48 countries. Despite experiencing many different cultures, he observes more “oneness" than “difference" in people.

To paraphrase Ralph Waldo Emerson, it is not how many times you fall that counts, but how high you bounce, that ultimately determines your performance and fulfilment.

Every presentation is tailored to the client’s current situation and meeting objective. This involves interviewing the organiser, and preferably some prospective attendees. He has a strong preference for attendee involvement.

Presentation Topics Include

• Bounce Back and Thrive
• Thriving Tribes
• Thriving Self - building resilience and mood to outperform and outlast
• Enhancing Mental Health in the Workplace
• Men’s Health
• Living your whYcode

Testimonials

Graeme is the consummate professional. He was always onsite ahead of time, and never any fuss. The delivery of his keynote is extremely touching, and very relevant in today’s world, and the proof was in the Q&A’s post presentation when the audience opened up in the same way Graeme was open with them.
National Australia Bank Limited

I have used Graeme three times to work with my team to engage and educate on resilience, mental health and well being. The fact I’ve used Graeme three times is evidence of his quality. He is real, shares his own experiences and is passionate about everyone being the best they can. Graeme delivers presentations and workshops that help teams and people leaders focus on what they can control to thrive through change. My team walk away with tools, activities and stories they can use for themselves, their teams and in their personal lives. Graeme cares, he takes time to understand your needs, he builds content around this and he follows up. Definitely someone to work with when investing in your team around these critical issues.
NAB SA / NT

Excellent, very genuine and humble and very easy to listen to with very good examples and life experience.
National Australia Bank

Graeme is an eloquent speaker and responded thoughtfully and respectfully to all the questions. He was also incredibly generous with his time on the run-up to the event, helping us ensure that we had the right balance in the questions. He was also very generous donating signed books as door prizes – an extra bonus!
Katrina Enos

Graeme provided a simple and accessible framework for valuing ourselves and our teams. Staff at the conference were engaged and responsive.
TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute

Graeme delivered one of the most compelling presentations I have seen. He and his message are relevant for any workplace experiencing change, and have had a lasting impact on my group. Highly recommended.
National Australia Bank

Graeme’s story allowed us to talk about what was once considered a taboo topic – how stress and change fatigue can compromise effectiveness. His message helped create some light bulb moments for my team. It was highly relevant for increasing productivity and living a more purposeful life.
Medibank Private

Feedback included ‘fantastic presentation’ , ‘outstanding’, ‘very inspirational’, ‘powerful’, ‘very moving’ and ‘I wish I could get Graeme to speak to my staff’. The client was delighted.
Managing Consultant, ICMI

Graeme is quite simply a thought leader. He has utilized the lessons gained during a personally horrific time to guide, teach, inspire and coach millions of Australians.
Mental Health Association of NSW

Graeme is a true force of nature in the mental health sector and his ability to get things done second to none.
Gavin Larkin, Founder R U OK? Day (1968-2011)

Graeme is very engaging. People listen to every word he says. You could hear a pin drop
Financial Services Council

Extraordinarily practical advice on how to turn problems into opportunities
Australian Financial Planners

Graeme is very engaging. People listen to every word he says. You could hear a pin drop
CEO, Investment and Financial Services Association

Extraordinarily practical advice on how to turn problems into opportunities
Managing Director, Sentinel Wealth

You could have heard a pin drop as Graeme Cowan opened the morning session with a harrowing account of his battle with the black dog… he received a thunderous applause.
Wyeth Conference Newsletter

I am both inspired and empowered by your concept of Bouncing Back and Thriving. Simply wonderful! Everyone needs to hear your message.
Discovering Uniqueness

Inspirational! Refreshing! AUTHENTIC! Humble – fabulous. Congratulations Graeme – a brilliant message authentically delivered.
Julie Ankers, E & S Saxton

WOW! You are so inspiring and your principles touch on the core of what the whole of life is about. Immaculate, fluent, & brilliant. Thank you.
Dr. Helena Popovic

Very compelling – amazingly engaging to share such personal experiences. Really applicable to everyone everyday.
Ambition Consulting

Mesmerising, heart wrenching - you captivated the audience.
Michelle Bowden

Your presentation to our national sales team was authentic and very impactful. It also reinforced to us the potential of turning every adversity into an opportunity. Thank you.
Managing Director, Lundbeck Australia