Meet Kerri, Deb, Cat and Helen - the colourful crew at the heart of a new workforce initiative at Mackay Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Service (MHAODS).
They are four of the seven workers who make up our MHAODS peer workforce – people who know all too well what it means to battle mental health issues or problematic substance use challenges and come through it.
They are now ready to walk alongside others to help them manage those difficult journeys.
Team leader Deb explains the concept she is passionate about.
“Peer workers have lived with mental health or problematic substance use challenges and worked through recovery,” Deb said.
“With that experience and understanding they are able to come alongside others and support them on their recovery journey.
“We’ve all got our different strengths, knowledge, skills and experiences of different issues – and we all come to work bearing our difficult past.
“We are now here to stand beside our clients and support people and ride alongside them.”
Following a 12-month pilot program in 2021-22, the permanent peer workforce team has now been established and is operating out of MHAODS in Nelson Street.
Peer worker Kerri said their task was to build relationships, rapport and provide support.
“We relate and empathise, let them know their rights,” Kerri said.
“We are connecting on that level, of having a lived experience.
“We want to build their resilience, alleviate stress, find things they relate to and we have knowledge of the mental health system and resources out in the community.
“We work closely with clinical teams, so we’re a link between the two.”
Cat loves the collaborative team environment.
“There’s great collaboration in the team, and the focus is on our clients and their support people,” Cat said.
“We work on mutual respect; we don’t tell people what to do or how to do it.
“Everyone knows why they’re here and the client voice is present in everything.”
It is a role that can be challenging.
Helen is the newest member of the team and will fill the role of a carer peer worker – caring for the carers.
“What this service offers is what I needed when I was supporting someone with mental health challenges,” Helen said.
“The team is so welcoming here and they offer brilliant support.
“We all get supported in here too because I can’t help anybody if I’m not in a good place myself.”
To find out more about our mental health peer workforce team, phone 4968 3893.
For 24/7 mental health support phone 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55).
MHAODS peer workforce Kerri, Deb, Cat and Helen. Photo supplied: Mackay Hospital and Health Services
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
