I am passionate about smashing the stigma of mental illness, especially in the workplace.
In 2008, I experienced an episode of severe depression. I was hospitalised for five weeks and it was another four weeks before I could return to work. On my return, I decided not to be bound by the secrecy of mental illness and shared my story with colleagues. In nearly every case, people disclosed their own experience with mental illness or that of their parents, siblings, partners or children. Their collective weight overwhelmed me and I was struck by the silence shrouding mental illness. I decided to tell my story to an audience on a larger scale and wrote an opinion article about the stigma of mental illness which was published by The Age.
That was my first foray into mental health advocacy. I am actively involved with Beyond Blue's Ambassador and Speaker Bureau, sharing my story to reduce stigma and increase understanding of mental illness. I was also a member of Mental Health Australia's National Consumer and Carer Register for nine years, working at the national level to provide a strong consumer voice in the mental health sector.
Interviews
The Conversation Hour: Podcast of my interview with Jon Faine
RN Background Briefing: Podcast of a program on workplace mental illness
Brainwaves: Podcast of an interview about my experience of mental illness
The Pulse: Interview about mental illness in the workplace
Articles
Inquiring into mental health, The Mandarin
I never imagined I'd be a public servant, let alone one with depression, The Guardian
Simple things are often the key to good mental health, The Age
An illness that should not be hidden, The Age
Co-designing with public servants at the centre, The Mandarin