Living with chronic pain, surviving a natural disaster and writing to smash stigmas with Zoe Simmons

This is the nineteenth episode in our Lived Experience series, where we are speaking with some remarkable people who have experienced and overcome adversity, and who are sharing their stories in a way that might help other people in need of support.
It's also our 50th episode!

In this episode of GET REAL we meet Zoe Simmons, a journalist and writer who lives with bipolar, anxiety and chronic pain and speaks candidly about symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which emerged after Zoe survived the natural disaster known as the Black Summer bushfires in New South Wales which burned over several months in 2019 and 2020. Zoe is currently working on a book detailing lived experiences that emerged from those fires and the support needed for people and communities who have experienced bushfires. 

Zoe is also a dedicated advocate for people with mental health and disability, in particular sharing about the invisible barriers of living with these so that awareness and conditions in society can change.

For our listeners, if you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

You can find out more about Zoe and her work at her website zoesimmons.com.au

Zoe is on Twitter @ItbeginswithZ 

ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.

Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline 13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467

ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.

We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.