Mental Health, Crime, and the Hidden Cost of High Achievement with Rebecca Fitzpatrick | Energy Sector Heroes
Description
This week’s conversation might seem like a step away from traditional energy sector topics—but it’s not. As professionals working in high-pressure environments, many of us (engineers, executives, and frontline staff alike) face invisible strains that can quietly unravel our lives and careers. I spoke with Rebecca Fitzpatrick, Director of Criminal Law and Chief Psychologist at Timpano Legal in Perth, about how people—often from high-functioning, respected professions—can find themselves crossing legal or ethical lines, and what we can do to stay ahead of burnout, bad decisions, or worse.
We covered the mental health landscape behind criminal behavior, how chronic stress affects judgment, and why early intervention matters more than we often realise. If you’ve ever felt stretched thin, isolated, or under quiet pressure to keep it all together, this conversation will offer a few sharp nudges to check in with yourself before things slip too far.
🔑 Three Takeaways You Can Act On:
🧠 Pressure is cumulative
Micro-stresses—missed lunch breaks, longer hours, financial strain, feeling unheard—can quietly build toward critical decisions. Start recognising and reducing these small stressors before they snowball.
📞 If you're struggling, don’t wait to speak up
Psychologists, counsellors, and support platforms (including telehealth options) are there for a reason. You don’t need to wait for a crisis to reach out.
🎯 Reconnect with your 'why'
When you're overwhelmed, anchor back to your personal drivers—your values, your goals, your purpose. It helps restore perspective and can stop short-term emotions from steering long-term decisions.
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