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  1. Home
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  3. Mark Thomas
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Mark Thomas

Inspirational speaker
markthomas.com.au
Country or state 
Australia
Available to 
Global
City 
Melbourne
Fee 
Languages 
English
Volunteer
No
Timezone 
Australia/Melbourne

Personal Details

Bio

On April 8, 2003, in a fleeting 0.33 seconds, the blink of an eye, my life changed forever. As a mentally healthy member of Victoria Police, I encountered a traumatic incident that left no physical scars but deeply wounded my mind. That brief glance at a deceased man triggered a cascade of psychological challenges I couldn’t and didn't foresee.

Unaware of the signs of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, I spiraled into a dark world. By 2013, my struggles culminated in a nearly two-week stay in a psychiatric clinic. It was a low point, but also the beginning of my recovery.

Today, I’m a functioning person, but not the same as before, and I’ve made peace with that. You cannot “unsee” what you’ve seen or erase the psychological impact, but you can rebuild.

My journey has taught me resilience and self-awareness. Though I still grapple with low confidence, poor concentration, and memory challenges, I’m grateful for the incredible, strong, and inspiring people I’ve met along the way, a lot of them I now call my friends, who’ve gifted me invaluable life skills.

Recovery from PTSD isn’t a quick fix, it’s a lifelong commitment. Yet, it’s given me a purpose: to inspire, educate, and lead others on their mental health journeys.

I respect those who choose silence, sharing is deeply personal but I’ve found power in my voice. As a keynote speaker, I bring my story to corporate stages or intimate settings, offering light to those in darkness and a voice to those unheard.

My mission is simple: to shine a beacon of hope, showing others that recovery, though ongoing, is possible.

My story is far from over. With every step, I grow more equipped to guide others toward mental wellbeing. Let me share my journey with your audience, inspiring them to find strength in their own challenges.

Invite me to speak. Together, we can illuminate the path to resilience, recovery and positive mental health.

#BeWell

Mark

Current position (3)

Inspirational speaker

markthomas.com.au

Police Officer

Victoria Police

President and co-founder

The Code 9 Foundation

Achievements (1)
Victoria Police Tynan/Eyre Memorial Scholarship

In 2008 I was awarded a Tynan/Eyre Memorial Scholarship to travel to the United States and Canada for counter terrorism related liaison and studies with the NYPD, FBI, JTTF, DoJ and INSET (Canada).

Degrees (1)
School
Geelong Technical School
1986 to 1990

Presentations

Presentations (4)
PTSD, depression and anxiety - what is it like to live with.

I get asked a lot what is it like to live with PTSD, depression and anxiety. I detail the ins and outs, the good and the bad and what I do to keep myself functional.

Recovery from and living with mental health conditions

Recovering from and living with the constant reminders and triggers that PTSD, depression and anxiety can be a difficult road to travel down. I talk about what I went through, how I was treated, what I changed, what I stopped doing, what I did more of and how I keep myself functioning well.

PTSD Growth

The growth that I have experienced post diagnoses is significant. All aspects of my life have been impacted, the vast majority in a significantly positive way. Finding purpose out of pain was important and I now have a heap of purpose.

Identity

As first responders, so many of us have our identities changed, we become our jobs. This is a critical aspect to being healthy, we need to retain our own identities, not become our jobs. I have worked very hard to regain my identity, and have done so successfully.

  • All (2)
  • Videos
  • Photos (1)
  • Press information (1)
This speaker hasn't uploaded any videos yet.
This speaker hasn't uploaded any slides yet.
This speaker hasn't uploaded any one sheet yet.
Ep. 161 Mark Thomas Victorian Police Sergeant - Founder CODE 9 Foundation

Books & Articles (3)

'You are not alone': How PTSD is openly discussed among police officers.
Ex-Subbies stars go into bat for mental health
Ground-breaking scheme to fund mental health treatment for police, paramedics

Expertise (8)

Health & Well-being
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder post traumtic growth Anxiety and Depression First Responder Mental Health First Responders Identity Charity impact

Clients

The Wandering Man
Outside The Locker Room
Caulfield Cricket Club
Werribee Hockey Club
Multiple first responder work units

Awards & certifications (7)

Australian Federal Police Commissioners Group Citation for Conspicuous Conduct
Australian Federal Police
2006
Victoria Police Service Medal, 10, 15 and 20 year clasps
Victoria Police
2006
Victoria Police Chief Commissioners Commendation
Victoria Police
2007
Australian Federal Police Operations Medal - 1st and 2nd Clasp
Australian Federal Police
2007
National Emergency Medal - 2009 Victorian Bushfires
Australian Government
2009
Victoria Police Group Citation for Merit
Victoria Police
2011
National Medal
Australian Government
2016
Recommendations
Why choose me? 

I live with PTSD, depression & anxiety. It doesn't define me. I present. I motivate. I influence.

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