A proud Bundjalung man, Matthew started out as a senior executive at several multinational organisations and was thriving in his career within the business world.

However, after battling various personal struggles, he wanted to learn more about the brain and the way it works.

“I sought a deeper understanding of psychological processes, which led me to pursue a Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science at the University of Newcastle. With my newfound knowledge and personal experiences, I've been working as a casual academic and research assistant, and as a therapy assistant at NeuroKind,” he said.

Experiencing care from the perspective of an inpatient, Matthew discovered there was a gap in cultural awareness within the mental health system.

He took this discovery as an opportunity to learn more about the industry and fill this gap through his own further study.

“This program allowed me to delve deeper into mental health nuances, understanding not just the pathology but the resilience and strength that individuals and communities can cultivate,” he said.

Resonating with the values and teachings of the program, Matthew felt encouraged by both academics and peers to succeed within the mental health space.

Seeing the change he could provide he takes pride in the change he can make, particularly in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

“The approachability and engagement of the academic staff, both during my time studying and post-graduation, were immensely inspiring,” he said.

“The ongoing support from the entire Wollotuka team has been profound, helping not only me, but other Indigenous students feel more comfortable and valued.”

Matthew plans to pursue further education and personal development to ensure he can create a better community experience.

“My aim is to use this insight both in a clinical setting, providing culturally safe therapy for community, and in policy-making, advocating for accessible mental health treatment options and the exploration of protective measures,” he said.

Reflecting on his current career, Matthew takes pride in the opportunity to interact with both students and professionals from diverse backgrounds to enrich his learning experience.

The Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science has enhanced his knowledge of mental health and broadened his perspective.

Taking inspiration from Indigenous researchers, he hopes to create a more positive community.

“The program didn’t only support my current career; it has inspired me to expand my focus and has significantly influenced my purpose. I feel a deep responsibility to leverage my growing academic knowledge and personal experiences to make a positive impact in the mental health space,” he said.

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Matthew Craig

Experiencing his own mental health struggles, Matthew wants to explore positive practice in order to help others in the community. Undertaking a Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science, he is on the way to achieving his goals.

The program didn’t only support my current career; it has inspired me to expand my focus and has significantly influenced my purpose. I feel a deep responsibility to leverage my growing academic knowledge and personal experiences to make a positive impact in the mental health space.

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