In one of the most significant episodes in The Laughter Clinic Podcast's short history, host Mark McConville welcomes his mentor, Associate Professor Jacinta Hawgood (AISRAP, Griffith University), for an intimate and wide-ranging discussion about suicide prevention, research, and the integration of lived experience into clinical practice.

This powerful conversation explores the evolution of suicide prevention. Topics include: the STARS needs-based assessment protocol, integrating lived experience with clinical practice, Mates in Construction's peer-led model, debunking suicide myths, supporting the suicide prevention workforce, and why humour and hope belong in this space. Content warning: discusses suicide throughout.

• the power of laughter and connection for wellbeing
• validating distress and why asking about suicide helps
• debunking myths about attention-seeking and “planting ideas”
• Jacinta’s path into suicidology and AISRAP’s evolution
• postgraduate education in suicidology and sector skills
• lived experience integrating with clinical practice
• STARS P needs-based assessment and collaborative safety planning
• STARS Young Persons co-design and youth risk
• universal, selected, indicated prevention explained
• community engagement, cost barriers, and belonging
• ripple effects of suicide and proactive postvention
• Mates in Construction’s peer model and workplace programs
• sustaining the workforce, supervision, and self-care
• safe storytelling and advice for new advocates

To follow Jacinta's work:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacinta-hawgood-3539a617/

To learn more about AISRAP:
https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-health/australian-institute-suicide-research-prevention

To learn more about the STARS Protocol:
https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-health/australian-institute-suicide-research-prevention/systematic-tailored-assessment-for-responding-to-suicidality

To learn more about Mates In Construction:
https://mates.org.au

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus

"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."

Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au

Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au

MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au

SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org

QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au

Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au

1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au

Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au

13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au

Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

Kicking off 2026 with essential workplace wellness strategies!
Stephen Woods, founder of Employee Wellness Australia joins The Laughter Clinic Podcast to share practical, evidence-based tools for beating burnout and building trust at work.

Whether you're a team leader, manager, employee, or solo business owner, this episode delivers actionable strategies you can implement TODAY to reduce workplace stress and improve mental wellbeing.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
For Leaders & Managers:

• How to recognize early warning signs of burnout in your team
• 3 practical strategies to reduce workplace stress this week
• Building trust points and psychological safety
• The difference between leading and managing
• Why EAPs have low utilization (and how to fix it)

For Employees:

• Warning signs you're heading towards burnout
• How to protect your mental health when leadership isn't supportive
• Understanding Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
• Practical stress management toolkit

For Solo Entrepreneurs & Sole Traders:

• 15-minute morning routine for success
• Avoiding isolation and building connections
• "Putting on your armour" daily practices
• Life by design principles

KEY TOPICS:

• Presenteeism vs. absenteeism
• Post-COVID workplace engagement challenges
• Cost of living impact on mental health
• ROI of employee wellness programs
• Gratitude journaling and stress management
• Sleep hygiene and energy management

Stephen has helped over 500 companies create happier, healthier, and more productive workplaces. His insights come from real-world experience working with major organizations including Netflix, Shine Lawyers, and Ray White.

1st ACTION: Find ONE strategy from this episode and implement it this week.

2nd ACTION: Hit the follow button to keep up top date and join The Laughter Clinic community.

3rd ACTION: Share this episode with your network or someone you know who could benefit from this information.

CONNECT WITH STEPHEN:
Employee Wellness Australia:
https://employeewellnessaustralia.com.au

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus

"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."

Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au

Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au

MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au

SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org

QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au

Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au

1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au

Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au

13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au

Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

In this final episode for 2025 I reflect on a year of big decisions, both personal and professional. From leaving cruise ships to going off my ADHD medication and growing the Laughter Clinic, it's been a year of significant life changes.
I also take a moment to hold space for a national tragedy.

• acknowledging the Bondi Beach victims
• stepping away from cruise ships to prioritise The Laughter Clinic
• delivering 53 Laughter Clinic presentations nationwide
• collaborations with Employee Wellness Australia, Ellen Briggs, and Linda Alexander
• personal update on ADHD management without medication
• daily routines of exercise, meditation and journaling
• launching the podcast, lessons learned, and community impact
• 2026 roadmap: Life Skills Masterclass Series with Jodi Allen, new guests, key conferences
• choosing a break to return stronger and more focused
• gratitude to listeners, clients, and communities

For more info on Employee Wellness Australia
Visit: https://employeewellnessaustralia.com.au

For more info on the 4 Aussie Heroes Foundation
Visit: https://4aussieheroes.com.au

For info on booking Mark as a speaker at your event.
Visit: https://www.icmi.com.au/mark-mcconville/

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus

"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."

Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au

Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au

MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au

SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org

QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au

Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au

1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au

Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au

13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au

Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com