Senior Peer Mentor & One-to-One WRAP Facilitator
Caryn
She/her
Hey, I'm Caryn. I'm from Scotland and emigrated to Perth 12 yrs ago. I grew up in a family with many mental health challenges and went on to have my own. It's been a long road to being in recovery from addiction, trauma and the challenges that have come with that; but with support and guidance from other services and peers I finally started on my path to being well AND happy 6 years ago. For me recovery is life, it's how I live each day; some days are better than others but self- care, staying connected to people, having a routine and exercise all really help me. I love people! I love meeting people from all walks of life. I'm a positive person with a good dose of humour and a big heart who loves to support others to find their own happiness and true potential.
Senior Peer Mentor
Chantelle
She/her
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Hi, I’m Chantelle and I’m excited to get to know you and share in your journey. The idea of working towards mental wellness, as opposed to ‘fixing’ mental illness, was a huge turning point in my recovery. Reframing this allowed me to stop focusing on all the things ‘wrong with me’ and instead start to see opportunities for good in my life, creating wellness one small step at a time. I believe that everyone struggling with their mental health, low self-esteem or life in general deserves someone who believes in them, an opportunity to feel good about themselves and to feel hopeful about living their best lives. I am grateful to have had this in my own recovery journey and am passionate about helping others to experience this also. Things that I enjoy in life include spending time outdoors, going for walks amongst the trees, camping trips, gardening, spending time with my family of pets (my cat, 2 pythons, 2 ducks and many fish) and cooking. I also love learning, trying new things and taking on challenges, all of which help me to help others in their journey to finding what's important to them, what they enjoy and overcome challenges.
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Peer Mentor
Scott
He/him
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Hi, my name is Scott.
The journey that led me towards working in the mental health industry began after having my own struggles seeking the help I needed as a young adult. I found it tough knowing where to look for support, let alone engaging with services. I have been immersed within an extensive support network for the last 8 years, and in that time I have supported many members of my community through their own mental health journeys. Over the years I have engaged in a variety of services myself, and while many have been beneficial, it was surrounding myself with community support that really helped me to develop more effective ongoing coping and management skills. I now find myself utilising these skills on a daily basis to offer the same support to others in my networks. I have a great deal of experience with Autism, and more specifically Autism in combination with physical disability. For several years, I have been the primary support for my partner who is Autistic and lives with Fibromyalgia and many other related health issues. I identify as neuro-divergent, as do most of my closest friends. I am very close to completing my psychology degree, with honours. This has been a proud achievement while balancing my own mental health, and has given me a great understanding of the non-linear nature of recovery. There are detours in life that we cannot have control over, and it is in these times that the support of our peers is most important. I believe that my formal education will be a benefit to my work as a peer, as it has led to me understanding what clinicians and other medical professionals focus on. It will allow me to bridge the gap between clinical therapy and peer support in a way that provides a more well-rounded support structure for participants. I hope to support you to reach your personal goals, and making mental well-being more achievable and accessible. |
Peer Mentor
Jason
He/him
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Hi, I’m Jason, and I proudly provide Peer Mentoring at The Wellness Initiative. I have been a peer support worker for several years, in London and now back in Australia. I have had my own lived experience with mental health and addiction issues and am a strong advocate of peer support recovery, applying it to my own recovery journey. I’m very passionate about helping people achieve their goals and assist them in finding overall wellness and happiness in their lives. I’m a sincere and open-minded person who holds honesty and trust in high regard. I believe in the motto ‘Nobody wins unless everybody wins.’ I enjoy music, movies, reading and writing, and, although I’m not a fanatic about it, I’m a qualified personal trainer and like to keep myself healthy; with some chocolate on the side. And I love animals of all kinds. I’m really looking forward to meeting you and being a part of your recovery journey.
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Peer Mentor & Vision Boarding Facilitator
Elsa
She/her
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My name is Elsa, and I am originally from South Africa. I have worked in Community Services for over ten years. I know what it feels like to be stuck, assuming everyone else has got it all together. My wellness journey excelled with peer support and 'trying softer' instead of harder. I discovered what was most important to me and then started setting goals which I achieved over time. Daily writing is my go-to wellness tool to process experiences, track progress, practice gratitude and celebrate joyful moments in life. I enjoy walking barefoot on the beach and grass, decluttering and decorating my home and finding interesting treasures at the op shop, mainly from the 1970s. I believe that your strengths, together with support from The Wellness Initiative, will get you on the way to living your best life, as determined by you. I have a talent for nudging people beyond their fears. My ability to confidently communicate my faith in your potential will inspire you to grow and develop more than you thought possible.
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Peer Mentor
Sean
He/him
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Hi, I am Sean and I have been working as a Peer Worker for ten years. I love the job. My own journey to reclaim health after being extremely unwell has been a long and most challenging undertaking. In facing my predicament I have discovered that recovery is best orchestrated by taking the ‘middle path’ of holistic health in nurturing the growth and blossoming of body, mind and spirit. I believe that despite the challenges we face, a fabulous life, full of meaning and purpose can be achieved. We have the opportunity to create the life of our dreams. This is what I attempt to bring to Peer Work. Outside of work I love playing a game of golf with friends. Nothing really beats sinking a six metre putt on a pristine spring morning. I also work out at the gym regularly and I am discovering that the fitter my body becomes the greater my mental health. I have travelled extensively in India and have a passion for Indian food. I love dining with friends with my favourite cuisine being delicious and healthy Indian vegetarian dishes. Moreover in my recovery journey my foremost interest has been the pursuit of the spiritual life. This entails daily spiritual readings and an ever increasing prayer. This has sustained me like nothing else in my life journey. I believe that with effort and determination we can reach great heights.
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Peer Mentor & One-to-One WRAP Facilitator
Soraya
She/her
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Hi, my name is Soraya! After 4 years working as an accountant it became clear I was in the wrong industry. Given my own mental health challenges I enrolled in and completed my Honours degree in Psychology. Whilst studying part-time I became involved with an organisation who provided activity, information and support groups who later asked if I would volunteer as a group facilitator, which I did for 4 years. This led to 3 years working as a Peer Support Worker for an NGO facilitating Hearing Voices support groups in hospital and in the community. I have spent my last 3 years with The Wellness Initiative learning to use and adapt my skills to support individuals as a Peer Mentor. I have completed Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training which I can explore with you on a one-to-one basis if desired. Peer Support Workers were integral in my personal recovery journey and I would love to support you in yours. If you have a desire to study and / or work, I can support you with this too. I am a family and animal oriented person who loves the challenges of study, and research is a passion of mine especially mental health-related topics.
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Peer Support Workers
Peer Support Worker & One-to-One WRAP Facilitator
Sam
He/him
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Hi, I’m Sam and I have a kind and engaging personality. I truly love to meet new people and have a passion for listening and sharing what we have in common. On my own recovery journey, I was the recipient of a peer worker who helped me to reconnect with my life and maintain my recovery. With their help, kindness and understanding I got to see firsthand the benefits a peer could make in a person’s life. It was because of experiencing these benefits and growing a found connection to the world of peer work that I decided I wanted to do the same using my lived experiences in a beneficial way. I am now in the exciting position of working with the Wellness Initiative. As a part of my own self-care, I enjoy exploring nature on long walks or simply getting stuck into a good video game and love anything generally nerdy. I can’t wait to meet you, listen to your story and be a part of your recovery.
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Peer Support Worker
Rhiannon
She/her
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Hi there! My name is Rhiannon, and I’m originally from Finland and Wales and I grew up living in several different countries, posing its own set of challenges but also wonderful life experiences I wouldn’t change. I lived in Singapore and Switzerland before coming to Australia around 7 years ago, and I’m grateful to call this place home now! For as long as I can remember I been passionate about mental health, resources and accessibility regarding services. My own journey with several complex situations in my life is what led me to study in this field and now peer support work as I have seen the great value of engaging and talking to “people who understand.” Peer support and connecting to people with similar journeys and struggles is one of the most valuable things that has helped me in my recovery and my enjoyment in life, and I am so excited to be a part of other people's journeys! I know what it feels like to be lonely and truly feel like nobody can understand or relate to what you are going through, and though it’s true that everyone’s experience is unique, I have been blown away by how much I have been able to connect with people on and how it has benefitted my own journey and that of those around me! A little bit about me, I’m a big art lover, I have grown up drawing, painting, writing and I’m also an opera singer and was initially going to pursue a music career until I found my passion for the mental health field, and I am studying psychology and counselling! I love music still and it is a wonderful wellness tool and self care practice of mine, to both listen to and create. I love animals, I love op-shopping and I love nature walks, cooking and photography.
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Peer Support Worker
Jaan
He/him
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I'm Jaan! I was born in Penang, Malaysia and raised on Christmas Island where I went to primary school. I moved to Perth in 2000 and have lived here ever since.
My personal lived experiences have taught me that mental health, like physical health, has a direct correlation to our quality of life as we each experience it. For as long as I can remember, I have always enquired deeply into the nature of life and how we can best live it. Whether it's through the lens of psychology, philosophy, spirituality and/or faith, I believe that examining our lives is a worthwhile endeavour. Doing so can have a positive effect on one's mental health and character if approached with sincerity. What is it that stands in the way of true peace, happiness and contentment? Questions like this are why I am passionate about my continued learning, and drawing from what I've learned over the years to accompany and support others on their own pilgrimage. |
Peer Support Worker
Leah
She/they
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Hi, my name is Leah! Like anyone in a peer role, it is my journey with mental health that has motivated me to help others in the way that I myself previously needed. I’ve come to find that the best way to live a good life for me is to learn to appreciate all the little positive things each day, no matter how small they might seem! I’m passionate about helping others find the best way to live their lives, because everyone is their own unique individual and will discover that some wellness tools work better for them than others. Having worked in peer roles previously, I have seen first-hand how powerful peer work is, and I particularly like how it allows for such meaningful connection and mutual understanding. In this role I look forward to walking alongside you and supporting you to build a good life that you are excited about living. I love getting out to do sports and exercise, but I also love settling in with a book and a cup of coffee. I’m currently studying to become a Clinical Psychologist so that I can continue to provide the support and help that people in our community need. I also proudly identify as LGBTQIA+ and understand the complexities as well as joys of being a part of that community.
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Peer Support Worker
Ravi
He/him
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Hi, my name is Ravi! My background is Indian, but I identify more as an Australian as I was born in Perth and have lived here ever since. Due to my own lived experiences and journey of dealing with and recovering from mental health challenges, I truly understand how unbelievably difficult and unpredictable life can be, particularly when our mental wellbeing is negatively impacting many (if not all) aspects of our lives. Throughout my own recovery journey, I have developed a deep passion for learning about and advocating for mental health, and a deep desire to help others, who are experiencing difficulties in their wellbeing and in their life, feel heard, understood, supported and connected. Because you, I, and all of us… deserve that… and more! I truly believe that feeling meaningfully connected to others (whether it be your friends, family, partner, children, colleagues, therapist, support worker, mentor, pets, and most importantly your own self) is one of the most important aspects to developing a happy, healthy, meaningful, fulfilling, and fun life. I would love to help you achieve a life like this. A life that you feel proud of. A life that YOU truly want to live. Achieving this is most certainly possible! Step by step. Bit by bit. You absolutely have what it takes! And there is nothing wrong or shameful about wanting or needing help. You don’t have to do this alone. I, and the rest of our awesome team, are here to help support you. With kindness, compassion and empathy. And plenty of fun! So, a little bit more about me. I am currently studying to become a psychologist. Other interests of mine are astronomy, earth and planetary sciences, technology and the tv/film industry. I also love cricket, golf, video games, tv shows, movies, music, dogs, hiking in nature, and spending quality time with my friends and family.
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Cover Support & Book Keeping
Jayde
She/her
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I've been working at The Wellness Initiative since December last year 2021. TWI is unlike anywhere I've worked before and I'm so excited to be working with an organisation who is so passionate about wellness and recovery. Through my own wellness journey, I understand that everyone's path is unique and I'm naturally interested and empathetic to others and listen with open mind and heart. Work aside, I really enjoy trying new things and exploring new places to visit. I'm trying to up my fitness recently and enjoy all outdoor activities, especially anything to do with the water. I'm naturally a social person and I'm my happiest when feeling connected to others.
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Cover Support & Administration
Carol
She/her
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Hello, my name is Carol and being a Peer Worker at The Wellness Initiative is one of the roles I enjoy here. I help with admin and run meditation classes also. When not working for TWI, I enjoy being a mum to my two beautiful grown up daughters. My hobbies are walking, cooking, reading and meditating. I have been facilitating meditation and self help workshops for around 20 years . This work brings me so much joy as I love to help people in any way I can. I found many years ago that learning to breathe and meditate helped me to balance my mental health and wellbeing. These tools have become a very big part of who I am and are part of my every day wellbeing plan. Being introduced to WRAP at TWI, has made a significant difference in my life, and I now realise what triggers me to recluse into myself. For the past two years I feel more calm and relaxed and I am enjoying every aspect of my life. I love being a student at the school of life. The journey has led to me being much wiser and so grateful to learn more each day.
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