Bridging the gap in wellbeing and political leadership

Our inaugural Political Wellbeing Summit sets the stage for a deep discussion on the mental wellbeing of our elected leaders and its cascading effects on their communities. Hosted by Emma Broomfield and Anna Miley of Locale Learning , the Summit brings together thought leaders from Australia and the globe to explore the wellbeing of local councillors in Australia and beyond. Most importantly, it examines how the state of their wellbeing impacts decision-making and community outcomes at a local government level.

Behind the scenes conversation with Todd Hopwood

In a recent behind-the-scenes discussion, Emma caught up with Todd Hopwood , diving deep into their shared passion for fostering wellbeing in leadership—particularly for those in the demanding roles of public service and civic leadership.

For Todd, the topic of mental health is deeply personal. A passionate advocate for mental health in the workplace and men’s health, Todd’s LinkedIn presence is also widely recognised for its powerful, vulnerable posts on workplace wellbeing. His ability to humanise mental health is a superpower, and his extensive experience in local government makes him a trusted voice in this space.

The conversation illuminated the fascinating link between the mental wellbeing of local councillors and the broader organisational wellbeing of council staff.

The state of play in political wellbeing

Todd shared his observations on the unique stressors councillors face and how the conversation about their wellbeing has lagged behind other leadership and workplace wellbeing discussions.

He noted key changes, such as the rise of social media and increasing awareness of psychological hazards in the workplace. However, many things remain unchanged, including cultural attitudes like "politics is politics" and governance structures that place significant pressure on council leadership.

Despite progress in broader workplace wellbeing, barriers persist for elected officials, including the stigma of seeking help, low-trust political environments, and the enduring expectation of a "thick skin" in politics.

The ripple effects of poor wellbeing

Importantly, poor mental wellbeing among councillors doesn’t stop at the elected body; it ripples outward, impacting General Managers, executive teams, and entire organisations. Todd emphasised:

“Councillors who are mentally well create a ripple effect, fostering healthier, more resilient organisations.”

He shared examples where supporting mental health at the leadership level has led to measurable improvements in staff morale and productivity.

Wellbeing as a leadership skill

The conversation with Todd focused on solutions, reframing wellbeing as a must-have leadership skill. Todd shared how he is providing councillors with practical resilience-building toolkits to address the unique challenges of their roles.

As councils across Australia tackle increasingly complex issues and councillors make decisions in an uncertain world, prioritising the mental wellbeing of elected leaders is no longer optional—it’s a strategic necessity.

The Political Wellbeing Summit is your opportunity to listen to the full exclusive behind-the-scenes interview with Todd Hopwood, where he shares actionable strategies and firsthand experiences on supporting councillor wellbeing. Plus join 10+ speakers online over three days for live sessions and deep conversation.

Purchase your all access Summit ticket for $240(+gst). Individuals can book via our website. For group bookings, contact Emma on 0421 180 881 or [email protected]