Getting Back Up Again

'The core is hope and belief. Find it. Nourish it. Build on it.'

After nearly twenty-five years as a cop - riding high on the excitement, danger and stress of his work, feeling invincible - Craig Semple realised he could no longer outrun the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The sudden and devastating collapse of his mental health led to his medical retirement from the police force, the end of his marriage and, eventually, his attempted suicide. But in adversity, it is also possible to find opportunity: Craig's diagnosis of a severe depressive disorder ultimately forced him to seek help, reassess and commit to making his mental health a lifetime priority.

Having a game plan was key to Craig successfully reclaiming control, finding hope and stepping into a positive future.

It is still difficult for many people to acknowledge that they are struggling to cope, particularly in jobs with a culture of toughness, where resilience is a given: first responders, the military, miners, construction workers. Craig was one of those people, and this down-to-earth, accessible and honest book distils everything he learned during his own mental health journey. Drawing on his own experiences - along with his skills in leadership, effective communication, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution - Craig provides a path for those finding it difficult to make that first step towards recovery from stress and trauma. Written from the perspective of a man who refused to stay down, Getting Back Up Again shines a light on strategies for navigating, surviving and growing through life's challenges.

About the Author

Craig Semple was a career detective in the New South Wales Police Force for twenty-five years, investigating homicides, outlaw motorcycle gangs and hundreds of other serious crimes. Medically retired from law enforcement in 2013 due to psychological injuries, Craig is now a sought-after keynote speaker and mental health advocate.

Craig is the founding director of Mentality Plus, through which he has developed and delivered mental health, wellbeing and resilience education to thousands of people all over Australia. He is also an ambassador for the Black Dog Institute. Craig's first book, The Cop Who Fell to Earth, was published by Echo Publishing in 2023.