Our stories

Mind Australia Peer Practitioner Jesse Rochow says peer support brings acceptance, empathy and understanding into a person’s mental health recovery journey. 

Peer practitioners, like Jesse, use their own lived experience of mental health and wellbeing challenges to provide practical and emotional support to others who are struggling. 

Mind Australia Community Mental Health Practitioner Alicia Hodgson knows firsthand the importance of being able to access appropriate and timely mental health support for young people. 

Art and photography have helped Christine - a mental health carer for her husband and two daughters - process and express her feelings, and improve mental health literacy in her community. 

Amy Falconer is 22 and has a history of depression and anxiety which was first diagnosed at the age of 12. The Melburnian has accessed a number of Mind-run services over the past decade, is a member of Mind’s Lived Experience Advisory Team and is joining Mind’s Lived Experience Peer Cadet Program.

When Andy first joined the Mind Recovery College® he felt lonely and isolated.

The 36-year-old from Bendigo in regional Victoria struggled with his mental health, often feeling overwhelmed in social settings and finding it difficult to communicate and connect with others.

This led to him staying at home, becoming isolated and self-harming.

A few years ago, you would have been lucky to get a sentence out of Julian.

The Cairns local had a difficult upbringing because of mental health, physical and behavioural conditions, and was often labelled by other kids as “crazy” and “weird”. Subsequently, he missed out on making friends, participating in team activities and developing important social and communication skills.