The MFA DE&I Council would like to see an industry where everyone can thrive, feel heard, supported, and safe to do their best work. Let’s meet the Changers who are sharing their own lived experiences to inspire us all to change for the better.
My name is Ainsley. I’m 32, Australian born with Anglo-Australian parents, two brothers and a dog. I’ve been quite blessed in my life with an incredibly close extended family as well.
I’ve been in the industry for nearly three years now, having started my professional career in the transport industry and followed by a few years in online retail. I fell into media unexpectedly, applying for a Client Service Executive role at News Corp thinking, “Hey, this is a bit of a stretch but I need a change, so I’ll give it a go”. I was contacted not long after for a Zoom interview, and two hours after that Zoom interview I got a call offering me the job. I’ve never looked back!
Throughout my career and in my personal life, I have always hidden my diagnosis of Generalised Anxiety Disorder, which I received 12 years ago. I have been medicated on and off during this time.
Three million Australians live with anxiety. Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia, and 1 in 4 people will experience anxiety at some stage in their life. It may seem invisible to most, but when anxiety is heightened, it can progress to physical symptoms.
During my first social outing post-COVID, my anxiety intensified so significantly, I disassociated or “blacked out” and left, losing my friends until they found me wandering the streets in a daze. To this day, I still have no recollection of what happened. I’m just glad I’m surrounded by good people.
I avoid telling people about my anxiety – particularly in the workplace – because I get responses like “Wow, you don’t look anxious!” or “What do you have to be anxious about?” Previous workplaces were not accommodating in any way, and in some cases even discriminatory.
While conversations around mental health have progressed significantly in recent years, we still have some way to go to eliminate the stigma, particularly in the workplace. I’m lucky that in my current role I have the opportunity to take a personal day when everything is that bit too heavy.
It has, however, taken me getting to breaking point to actually ask for this. Perhaps my past experiences made me hesitant to ask for and accept help as it wasn’t readily given.
If you want to begin a conversation but are not sure how, reach out to mental health organisations for help. I’ve pledged to walk 200km in the month of October for One Foot Forward, which is an initiative by The Black Dog Institute to raise much needed funds for mental health research and support.
I’ve started by sending around a link to my team to donate, with my “why”. Beyond Blue is also a great organisation to get involved with. You can start by visiting https://www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/ainsleynewson/one-foot-forward
My final words of advice – you are not alone. Speak up, speak out.
Ainsley Newson is Client Executive at News Corp Australia