Instructor Profile

I have worked in the non-profit community sector for approximately 14 years before leaping into the world of education. This has included delivery for both private RTO's and the TAFE sector. I currently teach in accredited and non-accredited mental health programs. Holding a Bachelor in Applied Art, and a Diploma of Vocational Training and Assessment, I enjoy sharing a creative delivery with participants, and hold a sound reputation as a vibrant and humorous presenter .I am able to adapt to a variety of audiences from small group sessions to conference presentations. I provide ongoing and current training for GMHBA, TAC, Barwon Water,Matchworks, and a variety of smaller based business and community service support programs. I have a particular passion for the acknowledgement of mental health awareness and support with people with a disability and other complex issues, where mental health well-being is often overlooked. (Having a son on the autistic spectrum, I also appreciate the dual disability component and complexities of diagnosis) Included in my current delivery I have supported a number of church groups/members in completing the MHFA course. I developed and ran a program called "I am Confident" that directly educated long term unemployed people, about their anxiety and depression experiences, that impact their employment journey. I am also a REACH facilitator through the Black Dog institute, qualified to facilitate well-being programs for people with a mood disorder. I currently offer support in alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, with Salvos Connect and Foundation 61, in supporting the wellbeing model of recovery in group programs and presentations. As owner of "The Anxious Bird" , I deliver education programs to primary and secondary teachers and parents, VET sector teachers, including both workshops and conference presentations,inclusive of Keynote addresses. As president of Art of The Minds INC, a not for profit charity,we offer creative community based programs celebrating national mental health in October of each year. Our focus on recovery, is encouraging the use of the arts and education, as a vehicle for the management and education of mental illness for all ages. During Mental Health week, 2015, I launched my own photo story book "The Anxious Bird' depicting my own personal journey of mental illness . My passion for delivering the Mental Health First Aid course is too large to put into words. I can only strongly encourage you to book in and complete this certificate as the community needs your help in supporting mental health.