I worked in advertising for 35-years. All while suffering from a mental illness known as bipolar 1.So I know what it’s like to be driven by anxieties so strong, I sacrificed countless weekends to needless work. To be so sleep deprived, my keyboard began to resemble a soft downy pillow. And to perform brilliantly in a boardroom one moment, only to find myself crying quietly in a toilet cubicle the next.A decade ago, my passion and career began blending when I started as a keynote speaker and for the Black Dog Institute. I’ve also served on their Lived Experience Advisory Panel and now serve on a mental health advisory board for Australia's biggest insurer, TAL. and work as a Master Mental Health First Aid trainer. I’ve worked with miners, construction workers, lawyers and bankers. In short, pretty much anyone who will listen. I've been interviewed by the Australian Financial Review, appeared on Insight on SBS and create mental health initiatives.My work life has been a perfect storm; battling Bipolar 1 while building a successful career. The end result? A professional with the ability to:- facilitate mental health courses- write empathetically and educationally on mental health- speak empathetically and educationally on mental health- think insightfully and strategically on an issue costing business billionsTo see how I can help with the mental health of your organisation contact 0412 388 276 or dkwest@tpg.com.au