Dean Yates - A mental health advocate and veteran war zone correspondent, journalist and author of the recently released book 'Line in the Sand'. Dean has had an extensive domestic and international career, which ultimately lead him to being admitted to a psych ward (Ward 17) multiple times in managing his PTSD. One major contributor was the tragic friendly fire incident where two of his staff were killed by an American Apache attack helicopter in Iraq. Dean continues to recognise the impact that his career has had on his family, and dedicated this book in recognition of this seriously under-acknowledged issue.
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In this Hot Debrief episode, Matt talks to Dean Yates, who was head of mental health and wellbeing strategy at Reuters, the world’s largest news provider, for nearly three years until January 2020. Before that he was a journalist, bureau chief and senior editor at Reuters for more than 22 years.
Dean Yates was the ideal warzone correspondent: courageous, compassionate, dedicated. After years of facing the worst, though, including the Bali bombings and the Boxing Day tsunami, one final incident undid him. In July 2007, two of his staff members were brutally gunned down by American fighter pilots in Iraq.
What followed was an unravelling of everything Dean thought he knew of himself. His PTSD was compounded by his moral wound – the devastation of what he thought he knew of the world and his own character and beliefs. After years of treatment, including several stints inside a psychiatric facility, Dean has reshaped his view of the true meaning of life. Here, in all its guts and glory, is that journey to a better way of being. Dean has been to the blackest heart of humanity and come out with strength and heart.
Dean is now a mental health expert and advocate based in Tasmania. He commits his time helping organisations with mental health strategy and training, hosting the Mindarma Podcast and managing his youngest son's rock band.
Dean's recently released book is available at : https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761264429/line-in-the-sand/
Dean's website: https://www.deanyates.com.au
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