The Wellness Initiative | Perth WA
An independent mental health
Peer Support provider
with a team of Peer Mentors, Peer Support Workers
and Recovery Coaches.
Supporting you today - while exploring your future too.
"Peer"?
We know Mental Health challenges from Lived Experience.
We get it. It's what we're good at.
What is Peer Support?
Peer support involves individuals who share similar experiences or challenges, particularly in the area of mental health, providing mutual assistance and encouragement. This type of support is characterised by mutual understanding and empathy, as both the supporter and the individual receiving support have firsthand knowledge of the issues involved. The goal is to offer emotional and practical help, foster a sense of community, and empower individuals to manage their recovery and well-being.
Key Aspects of Peer Support
Benefits of Peer Support
Peer support is an essential component of mental health care, offering a unique blend of empathy, practical assistance, and mutual understanding. It empowers individuals to take control of their mental health journey with the support of someone who truly understands what they are going through.
Peer support involves individuals who share similar experiences or challenges, particularly in the area of mental health, providing mutual assistance and encouragement. This type of support is characterised by mutual understanding and empathy, as both the supporter and the individual receiving support have firsthand knowledge of the issues involved. The goal is to offer emotional and practical help, foster a sense of community, and empower individuals to manage their recovery and well-being.
Key Aspects of Peer Support
- Shared experiences: The core of peer support lies in the common experiences between the supporter and the person seeking support, which builds trust and understanding.
- Emotional and practical assistance: Peer supporters provide both emotional support and practical advice. They listen, offer empathy, and share strategies that have helped them manage similar challenges.
- Empowerment and encouragement: Peer support aims to empower individuals to take control of their mental health. Supporters encourage and motivate others to develop coping skills, set realistic goals, and build resilience.
- Non-judgemental space: Peer support creates a safe, non-judgemental environment where individuals can openly discuss their feelings and experiences without fear of stigma or discrimination.
Benefits of Peer Support
- Understanding and empathy: The shared experience between peer supporters and those they assist leads to a deeper level of understanding and empathy, making the support more relatable and effective.
- Practical insights: Peer supporters can offer practical advice and insights based on their own experiences, providing valuable tools and strategies for managing mental health challenges.
- Sense of community: Peer support helps build a sense of community and belonging, reducing feelings of isolation and fostering connections with others who have similar experiences.
- Increased confidence: By receiving support from someone who has successfully navigated similar issues, individuals gain confidence in their own ability to manage their mental health and work towards their goals.
Peer support is an essential component of mental health care, offering a unique blend of empathy, practical assistance, and mutual understanding. It empowers individuals to take control of their mental health journey with the support of someone who truly understands what they are going through.
Our Services
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The Wellness Initiative offers one-to-one peer mentoring and support for individuals facing mental health challenges. With a focus on lived experience, their Peer Mentors walk alongside clients, helping them navigate their personal journeys and achieve their life goals. The Initiative believes in empowering individuals to be the experts of their own lives, providing a safe space to explore, understand, and redefine the labels they may carry.
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The Wellness Initiative provides peer support workers who use their lived experiences with mental health challenges to offer compassionate, empathetic support. These workers assist individuals by providing emotional support, practical help, and guidance through the mental health system. The initiative encourages individuals to reach out for personalised support tailored to their mental health needs, fostering a safe environment for growth and recovery.
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The Wellness Initiative offers peer groups that provide nurturing and safe spaces for connection, learning, and growth. These groups cater to various interests, from gaming gatherings like Dungeons & Dragons, which support social skill development, to Connect2U, a peer-based group focused on emotional regulation and authentic living. Another key offering is the Nurture workshop, which explores the nervous system's role in stress and trauma, providing tools for personal growth and recovery. All groups are designed to meet participants where they are, encouraging organic connections and personal development.
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The Wellness Initiative's Recovery Coaching service helps individuals navigate and maximise their NDIS plans. Recovery Coaches work closely with clients to understand their goals, develop tailored plans, and connect them with the most beneficial services. The process involves getting to know the client, creating a strategy for using NDIS funding, and setting up services. Coaches also support clients in advocating for their needs and adjusting plans as necessary. The service empowers clients to achieve their goals, with coaches celebrating milestones and providing ongoing guidance throughout their journey.
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The Wellness Initiative's Trauma Awareness Training equips individuals and practitioners with essential knowledge and tools for providing Trauma-Informed Care. Led by experienced trainer Milly Taylor, the workshop covers the complexities of trauma, its impact on daily life, and how to create a safe, nurturing environment for healing. The training is designed for both personal development and professional practice, emphasising the importance of safeguarding, ethical duty of care, and crisis preparedness. Tailored for individuals or groups, the training fosters compassion and growth, helping participants support themselves and others through trauma recovery.
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Practical Support for Mental Health - for anyone!
The Wellness Initiative provides practical support for anyone in need, including people with mental health issues, caregivers, young people, and individuals in crisis, fostering overall well-being and long-term recovery. This support includes resource navigation, skills development, goal setting, crisis management, and advocacy. By using their personal experiences, peer support workers help individuals manage daily life, reduce stress, and enhance independence and confidence.
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Glossary of Terms
Peer Support and Peer Support Services
Both refer to the assistance provided by individuals who have lived through similar challenges, offering emotional and practical support.
Peer Mentoring, Peer Mentoring, Peer-to-Peer Mentoring, and Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program
All these terms describe a structured approach where a more experienced individual (mentor) provides guidance to someone with less experience (mentee), based on shared experiences.
Peer Worker, Peer Recovery Worker, and Lived Experience Peer Worker
These terms describe individuals who provide support based on their personal experiences of overcoming challenges, particularly in mental health or recovery contexts.
Peer Support Mentor and Peer Mentor
Both refer to individuals who provide support and guidance based on their own experiences, often taking on a mentoring role within peer support contexts.
Practical Support and Practical Assistance
These terms describe actionable help and guidance provided by someone with relevant experience, including navigating systems, developing skills, or managing daily tasks.
Both refer to the assistance provided by individuals who have lived through similar challenges, offering emotional and practical support.
Peer Mentoring, Peer Mentoring, Peer-to-Peer Mentoring, and Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program
All these terms describe a structured approach where a more experienced individual (mentor) provides guidance to someone with less experience (mentee), based on shared experiences.
Peer Worker, Peer Recovery Worker, and Lived Experience Peer Worker
These terms describe individuals who provide support based on their personal experiences of overcoming challenges, particularly in mental health or recovery contexts.
Peer Support Mentor and Peer Mentor
Both refer to individuals who provide support and guidance based on their own experiences, often taking on a mentoring role within peer support contexts.
Practical Support and Practical Assistance
These terms describe actionable help and guidance provided by someone with relevant experience, including navigating systems, developing skills, or managing daily tasks.
Other links for mental health support
Mental Health Support
Peer Support and Lived Experience
NDIS Resources
General Wellbeing and Mindfulness
- Mental Health Commission of Western Australia: Provides information on mental health services, policies, and initiatives in Western Australia.
- Beyond Blue: Offers support for anxiety, depression, and mental wellbeing, with resources tailored to Australian needs.
- Lifeline Australia: Provides crisis support and suicide prevention services across Australia.
- Headspace: Offers mental health support for young people in Australia, including services in Perth.
- SANE Australia: Provides information and support for mental health issues, including peer support.
Peer Support and Lived Experience
- Consumers of Mental Health WAcomhwa.org.au/: Advocates for the rights and needs of individuals with mental health conditions in Western Australia, providing support, information, and resources to enhance their wellbeing and influence mental health policy and services.
- Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH): Offers information on mental health services and peer support in WA.
- Hearing Voices Network Australia: Supports individuals who hear voices and provides resources relevant to Western Australia.
- Butterfly Foundation: Focuses on body image and eating disorders, providing support and resources in Australia.
- Developmental Disability WA: Focuses on advocacy and support for people with developmental disabilities in Western Australia, including NDIS information.
NDIS Resources
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Official Website): Provides comprehensive information about the NDIS, including eligibility, how to apply, and the types of support available.
- NDIS in Western Australia: Offers specific information on how the NDIS operates in Western Australia, including local services and support options.
- Disability Services Commission WA: Provides information and resources for people with disabilities in Western Australia, including NDIS-related support.
- Carers WA: Offers support and resources for carers in Western Australia, including information on accessing NDIS services.
General Wellbeing and Mindfulness
- Smiling Mind: Provides mindfulness programs and resources to improve mental health and wellbeing.
