Books at the Bowlo

‘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.