Passionate Peer Workers are connecting mental health staff through colourful art projects which not only brighten up the building, but also serve as an important reminder to check in on yourself.
The Wellbeing Team is a four-to-six week service working with people after a crisis that includes suicidal distress.
They focus on helping people navigate their recovery journey through regular check-ins, safety planning, and scenario planning.
Peer Workers Eliza, Emily, and Lyss are incredibly passionate about helping others and wanted to offer a fun activity for their colleagues during Mental Health Week and R U OK? Day this year.
“We wanted to do something that was a little bit creative because we have a lot of creative folk in the building, so the idea of a watercolour mural was born,” said Emily.
“There was no real right or wrong way to be involved so staff just came in and contributed when they could, and the result was this beautiful piece of art we now have on display in our office.”
For Lyss, it was an opportunity to incorporate mindfulness into the day.
“That’s why it was so good, it was something people could do quickly but offered a chance to connect. There were cool conversations people were having around the table.
“It was all about reminding staff to do something for themselves because we need to practice what we preach,” said Lyss.
The choice to paint the word ‘resilience’ had a deep meaning for the Wellbeing Team, explained Eliza.
“We talk about resilience a lot with consumers in their safety plans. We ask them to identify strengths and sometimes they struggle with that because most people do at the worst point in their lives, but we remind them that they’re here and they are resilient.”
Well done to the Peer Workers for this fabulous initiative, and thank you for the work you do in collaboration with the Wellbeing clinicians to provide compassionate care to our community.