Local trusted mental health advocates announced

As part of a trial program, Federal Member for Farrer, The Hon Sussan Ley MP, together with Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) today announced 11 Trusted Advocates for the Narrandera area to listen and help support community members to reach out for mental health support.

From left to right: Trusted Advocates Suzanne Litchfield, Pauline Hatherley, Julie Andreazza, Sue Kilham, Tracey Lewis, Federal Member for Farrer, The Hon. Sussan Ley MP, and MPHN Senior Manager Mental Health Drug and Alcohol, Anita McRae.

The 11 Trusted Advocates are Sue Killham, Tracey Lewis, Pauline Hatherley, Julie Andreazza, Nicole Guy, Phil Orme, Lee Longmire, Suzanne Litchfield, Richard 'Lou' Alchin, Marietta Ovens, and Lyn Burrell.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said Trusted Advocates are trusted community members who demonstrate resilience in dealing with adversity and the impacts of drought, and are called upon to support their community.

“Our volunteer Trusted Advocates are already providing farmers and the broader community with informal mental health and wellbeing support, and this program helps formalise these relationships and roles,” Ms Neal said.

“Integral to the program is providing suitable training support to our advocates to help them identify risk factors and promote help-seeking behaviours, but also supports for their own mental health and wellbeing.

“The Trusted Advocates program builds on MPHN’s commitment of working alongside communities to increase support available to them at times of need,” she said.

Trusted Advocate Tracey Lewis said being involved in the Trusted Advocate program is important to her for building a strong local support system.

“When you’ve had mental health issues and been well supported by a strong network of people and services, you know that it’s this support that really does get you through,” Ms Lewis said.

“Experiencing a mental health issue is not something to be ashamed of, and talking about it reduces stigma and can make people feel happier.

“I want to see our community be stronger and we can only achieve this through looking out for each other and knowing what services are available – being a Trusted Advocate I’m available for people to talk with and help guide them to appropriate services,” she said.

Federal Member for Farrer, The Hon Sussan Ley MP said the Trusted Advocates initiative is part of the Australian Government’s Empowering Our Communities program, which provides funding to support mental health and wellbeing in drought affected communities.

“The Trusted Advocates Network is a trial and a result of consultations undertaken by the Coordinator-General for Drought, Major General Day as part of the National Drought Taskforce,” Ms Ley said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the results of this trial here in Narrandera and hopefully its success will mean the program is considered for expansion across the region.

“I would like to thank our 11 Trusted Advocates, and to thank you for volunteering your time so willingly in an effort to continue supporting your community,” she said.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency should call the Mental Health Line 1800 011 511, Lifeline 13 11 14 or call 000. Or to access the Head to Health website visit www.headtohealth.gov.au.