Dust Disease Diaries: Real lives, real stories of asbestos & beyond19 Mai

The psychological impact of a life-limiting diagnosis

How do you cope with the shock of a terminal or life-limiting diagnosis? In this episode of Dust Disease Diaries, James O’Loghlin speaks with psychiatrist and mental health expert Professor Ian Hickie about the psychological impact of a dust disease diagnosis.

As co-hosts of the Minding Your Mind podcast that delves into all aspects of mental health, Ian and James are used to tackling the tough topics. In this conversation they focus on the psychological and emotional impact on people who have received the shocking diagnosis of mesothelioma or silicosis. They discuss common reactions in the early days after diagnosis - when things can feel surreal - and why numbness, denial, anger and grief often arrive in waves. They explain why the practical “to-do list” can kick in before emotions catch up, and share ways to move toward acceptance without minimising what has happened. The conversation also covers making space for anger without getting stuck there, and using small daily anchors (daylight, sleep routines and gentle activity) to protect mental health when life is turned upside down.

James and Ian share practical strategies for managing overwhelm, pain, and difficult conversations with partners, family, children and friends. This episode offers grounded, compassionate advice for anyone navigating the shock of diagnosis.

Professor Ian Hickie is a psychiatrist and Co-Director of Health and Policy at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre. He is one of Australia’s leading advocates for, and commentators on, mental health.

Episoder(35)

Silicosis: Care, prevention and hope with Associate Professor Ryan Hoy

Behind every silicosis diagnosis is a person facing difficult questions about their health, work and family.In this episode of Dust Disease Diaries, respiratory and sleep physician Associate Professor...

22 Sep 28min

Understanding Radiation Therapy in Mesothelioma Care

Radiation therapy doesn’t get talked about as much as chemotherapy or immunotherapy in mesothelioma care - but it can make a real difference. In this episode, James O’Loghlin speaks with Radiation Onc...

19 Aug 25min

Keeping Australia focused on preventing the next wave of asbestos and silica disease

In this episode, James speaks with Jodie Deakes, CEO of the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency (ASSEA), about why asbestos and silica remain critical public health challenges in Austral...

21 Jul 36min

On the road to early detection: Inside icare’s Lung Bus and its mission to protect NSW workers

In this episode of Dust Disease Diaries, we’re joined by Milly Heinnen, Head of Health Screening, Dust Diseases Care at icare, who shares how mobile lung health screening – the icare Lung Bus - is hel...

21 Apr 27min

Supporting Mesothelioma patients across Western Australia: A specialist nurse pers

In this episode, we speak with Kirsten Mooney about the vital role specialist nurses play in supporting people diagnosed with mesothelioma, and the realities of delivering care across Western Australi...

16 Mar 26min

Early detection: A game changer for Lung Cancer. Mark Brooke, CEO of the Lung Foundation Australia talks about the launch of Australia’s National Lung Cancer Screening Program

“Nothing else in your body works unless the air gets through your lungs.”In this episode we explore one of the most significant public health milestones in Australia’s recent history: the launch of th...

10 Feb 34min

"Asbestos is ubiquitous in New South Wales."

NSW Minister The Hon. Penny Sharp, NSW Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment, and Minister for Heritage, explains what the NSW government is doing to manage th...

29 Jan 24min