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Celebrating our peer workforce

20 October 2022
Lisa Mitchell headshot
Today is Global Peer Supporters Celebration Day.

It’s an annual celebration of peer supporters, peer support, and recognising the power of lived experience practice, which centres mutuality, hope, reciprocity and authenticity.

At Neami, we acknowledge the incredible work of people who draw on their own lived experience of distress or adversity, as well as those who draw on their lived experiences as carers and kin.

Lisa Mitchell, Peer Practice Leader – NSW, shares reflections on the importance of peer practice:

“I am fortunate enough to have found peer work while completing a Mental Health Cert IV in 2012 and did my work placement at Neami while also being successful in the part-time role as Peer Worker.

My role has always meant a great deal to me in walking beside others in their journey and supporting them to see more purpose and meaning in their lives, despite having mental health challenges.

I have always been a great advocate for focusing on the person’s self-worth and knowing that their illness doesn’t define them. All the hard times our mental health challenges can cause us, we can overcome them and be a stronger more resilient version of ourselves.

In my role, I have supported people to find their strengths and values, what brings them joy and what keeps them well.

I love seeing people grow and flourish and believe the work we do is so valuable even if it is allowing someone to self-express while telling their story, which can help them to heal through self-reflection, awareness and identity.”

Learn more about Global Peer Supporters Celebration Day on the National Association of Peer Supporters website.