National Mental Health Emerging Leaders’ Fellowship
The SA Mental Health Commission is partnering with the National Mental Health Commission in development and implementation of the Australian Mental Health Leaders’ Fellowship program. We are hosting pairs of leaders on placements.
The Commission recognises the importance and need for increased research and development to further enhance and strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of South Australians. To this end, it is a strong supporter of the SA Medical Health and Research Institute’s Mind and Brain Wellbeing and Resilience Centre. It has also partnered with the Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation and shares its vision of a life without mental illness.
The Commission is supporting the development of technologies that enhance and strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of South Australians including decision support tools, artificial intelligence and applications.
Core Strategy 3: Strong leadership, governance and improved outcomes.
Meet the South Australian 2018 Australian Mental Health Leaders
Matt Halpin
Coordinator Consumer Engagement for Central Adelaide Local Health Network
Matt Halpin highly recommends the fellowship program as an opportunity for professional and personal development as a leader.
Matt spent his time at the NSW Mental Health Commission and attended the Mental Health Carer Support Worker Forum in NSW and the World’s Largest Mental Health Lesson run by the NSW Department of Education.
“This was a rare opportunity to ask CEOs and other executives key questions about leadership and learn directly from their personal leadership experience,” he said.
“This experience included meeting with the CEO of Flourish, Being and NSW Carers and direct time with the Commissioner and deputy commissioners.”
He’s pictured here with NSW Mental Health Commissioner Catherine Lourey and Fellow Rachel Nicoll, from regional NSW.
Matt is the Coordinator Consumer Engagement for Central Adelaide Local Health Network and has worked in mental health for over 15 years. He is a leader in the area of Peer Work in South Australia.
His “key takeaways” from the fellowship are to stay true to your values; demonstrate your organisation’s values and vision in all the work you do and find innovative ways to improve and be a lifelong learner:
“This includes learning from other leaders as well as our peers and staff.”
Trina Cummins
Director of Counselling at Immanuel College
Trina Cummins spent a week at the Queensland Mental Health Commission hearing from leaders who work in diverse roles within the mental health sector.
Trina is the Director of Counselling at Immanuel College, and provides counselling and mental health services across the school. She has more than 21 years’ experience in the counselling, wellbeing and mental health field in America and Australia.
“Hearing from a range of people added to the rich experience of learning from other leaders in this space. I was particularly interested to hear from other women about their leadership journey,” she said.
Kelly Chidgey
SA Police Officer
Kelly Chidgey spent time at the National Mental Health Commission in Canberra and really enjoyed talking to influential leaders in the mental health sector during her fellowship.
“The opportunity to hear from CEOs and senior managers from a variety of different organisations was invaluable,” she said.
“To be able to learn about the journeys, motives and vision of these people was extremely motivating and has inspired me to continue to work towards improving outcomes for Australians with mental illness.”
Faith Abio
Disability Support Worker
Life Without Barriers
Faith Abio describes her 2018 Australian Mental Health Leaders Fellowship as “unforgettable”.
Faith says the fellowship gave her an opportunity to fine-tune her leadership skills and strengthened her determination to support people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
A disability support worker with Life without Barriers and Flinders University student, Faith was hosted by the National Mental Health Commission in Canberra and also enjoyed the opportunity to visit Parliament House: “It was an unforgettable experience,” she said.
“As a young girl from the African community, I know mental health is often misunderstood so being able to bring my leadership skills and knowledge and educate people from my community will help many other do the same.”