Peer Mentors
Senior Peer Mentor
Chantelle
She/her
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
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
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
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
Holly
She/her
Hi, I'm Holly! I have worked in the music industry for much of my career, and have always had a huge enthusiasm for wellbeing. This has manifested itself in my love of being outdoors, cooking and eating nourishing food, listening to and performing music, and teaching and practicing yoga. I believe that our vulnerabilities are in fact our strengths, and that our ability to be well and happy is enhanced by our relationships within our communities. I have experienced mental health challenges for most of my adult life, and my journey has brought me to a place of understanding and accepting myself. I'm passionate about helping others to understand themselves better, and to move through life in a way that's both compassionate and connected. I am currently completing my Masters in Counselling and am very excited to be working with The Wellness Initiative. I look forward to meeting you all soon!
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Peer Mentor
Sean
He/him
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
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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