HOW IT ALL STARTED

Growing up in the Hunter Region of NSW, I am passionate about mental health and minimising the stigma associated with mental health problems. Having lived experience with depression & anxiety since my mid teens, my goal is to educate and champion others in understanding common mental health problems and encourage them to find proactive ways to support the community, a friend, a loved one or a colleague.  

With a background in vocational education and training, human resources, return to work, safety & leadership, I am committed to supporting the community and workplaces to engaging in meaningful MHFA conversations, breaking down barriers to seeking support and incorporating mental health conversations into their safe operating procedures, policies, wellness programs and organisational strategic plans.

After completing the Mental Health First Aid® Instructor Training Course with MHFA™ Australia, I saw the opportunity to advocate for mental health by delivering training courses to the community, within workplaces and on behalf of community based organisations and I am truly grateful for the opportunity and people I come across in my courses. Having lost a loved one to suicide, I began to think about the different types of supports out there, the stigma associated with support seeking and for me, the community and workplace were crucial environments where I considered my mental health could be easily affected. So where to from there? How could I promote awareness of common mental health problems, educate others on providing crucial initial support and encourage others to do the same?. I have lost too many loved ones to suicide and mental health problems and it really struck me that people feel so isolated, alone and hesitant to seek support.

I don't want another friend, family member or person in the community to feel that way and I want them to know that there are people who genuinely care and want them to feel comfortable reaching out. At Blue Balloon Coaching, we want to create a safe learning environment where individuals can come to learn how to support a friend, colleague, loved one or peer who may be experiencing a mental health problem, worsening of a mental health problem or crisis. We also want to empower the community to fight back against stigma and come together to show others in the community that they are not alone in their mental health journey. 

As the time flies, each course I run is in memory of my cousin and countless others living with common mental health problems, and our goal at Blue Balloon Coaching is to reinforce that it's okay, not to be okay and educate others so they feel confident to provide that initial support and have a conversation with someone they are concerned about. 

If you are thinking about suicide, know someone who is or need to talk with someone, we encourage you to call Lifeline on 13 11 14.