Clinician Burnout and Mental Illness – Breaking Down the Stigma, The Importance Of Connection, and Tips For Wellbeing
Dr Tahnee Bridson, Founder Hand-n-Hand Peer Support
Considering the impacts of the global pandemic, as well as the significant increase in healthcare demand preceding it, clinician burnout and mental ill-health amongst the healthcare workforce is on the rise. That is why Clinical Excellence Queensland has been focussing on clinician wellbeing, including through last year’s dedicated Showcase concurrent session, and this year: through our keynote speaker Dr Tahnee Bridson.
Dr Tahnee Bridson is best known for her work to reduce stigma, improve help-seeking and promote mental wellbeing as the founder of Hand-n-Hand Peer Support Inc.
Tahnee experienced shame and stigma firsthand when she was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa as a university student. She rose through adversity and defied the odds by graduating top of her class. Her personal experiences were the inspiration behind Hand-n-Hand - so that no one would ever need to go through this alone again.
Current Work:
Tahnee is a psychiatry doctor originally from a small country town in Far North Queensland. Whilst she initially thought of pursuing a career in dance and music, she had a desire to improve the wellbeing and lives of others that led her down the path of medicine. Growing up in the country was no easy feat.
She faced a number of barriers both at home, school and university. Overcoming her own adversities has driven Tahnee to support others from similar backgrounds so they can reach their full potential. Being a born and bred country girl, she is also an advocate for access to better healthcare in rural and remote areas of Australia. She is passionate about advancing the field of mental health through research and recently combined these two passions when offered a PhD position in Melbourne.
More recently, Tahnee has advocated for the wellbeing needs of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic establishing a peer support network that provides free and confidential support to all healthcare workers across Australia and New Zealand.
Tahnee’s work was recognized by her home state, and she was selected as the 2022 Queensland Young Australian of the Year.
Other accolades include:
- 2022 Queensland 7News Young Achiever Awards
- Leadership Award Finalist 2021 Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards
- Jeff Cheverton Individual Award Winner 2021 Queensland Mental Health Week Achievement Awards
- Jude Bugeja Peer Experience Award Winner 2021
- James Cook University Outstanding Alumni Award 2017
- University Medal Recipient 2017
In her keynote address, Tahnee will outline her own experiences with mental health, ways to help break down the stigma associated with mental ill-health, and tips for wellbeing.