Vital voices boost Manna’s governance

The depth of expertise and knowledge within Manna Institute has been bolstered with the appointment of five new representatives to senior governance roles.

Two First Nations representatives and three people with lived experience of regional mental health have joined the institute’s Program Leadership and Program Management groups. They add their vital voices to those of Associate Professor Faye McMillan (Deputy National Rural Health Commissioner – Allied Health and Indigenous Health), Professor Joe Fraser (Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy UNE) and Dr Vicki Pascoe (Lecturer, Indigenous Studies and Discipline Lead, CQU) as Manna seeks to address the complex issues impacting mental health in regional Australia.

Manna Institute is governed by representatives from seven universities in the Regional Universities Network; industry partners including Lifeline Direct and Everymind; and now First Nations representatives Ashley Holzapfel and Shay-Lee Coulson; and mental health advocates Darren Wagner, Paul Klotz and Laura Grattidge.

Manna Institute director Professor Myfanwy Maple said our new Manna First Nations and Lived Experience representatives will ensure that our collaborative research and projects are well collaborative, informed, relevant and translatable.

“Ashley, Shay-Lee, Darren, Paul and Laura bring critical perspectives, experiences and networks to Manna’s endeavours, in addition to their extensive professional skills,” Professor Maple said. “This enriches our work through ensuring that those closest to the issues we seek to address are walking this journey with us. Together we will develop fit for purpose solutions.

Yininji and Butchulla woman Ashley said her appointment represents an important opportunity for her and the institute.

“In my role as an inclusion and diversity specialist I engage First Nations Elders, professionals and communities across Australia,” Ms Holzapfel said. “I can see our people suffering from mental health issues and unable to access culturally safe programs. Having First Nations people in roles of this kind will help those falling through the cracks in the current system.”

Goori woman Shay-Lee said improving mental health is pivotal to creating individual and community change for peoples who are intrinsic to regional and rural landscapes.

“I have seen first-hand the fatal consequences of poorly designed Indigenous mental health research projects, the misuse of data, and tick-box community engagement and consultation,” Ms Coulson said. “Leadership is needed not only to represent First Nations interests and voices but also to ensure their safety.”

Darren shares Manna Institute’s passion for growing relevant research and supporting sustainable professional workforces.

“In mental health services, workers and consultants with lived/living experience are key to meaningful change,” he said. “I have supported individuals from almost every imaginable man-made and natural disaster around the world. Personal and professional experience has taught me that humans have the unique capacity to transcend even the most tragic of circumstances.”

Personal experience has also taught Paul the importance of understanding the sometimes overlooked relationship between physical and mental health and wellbeing. He lives in regional Queensland and is a consumer advocate on two boards and within several community organisations working in the mental health space.

“I have also been part of the Lived Experience co-design team with Queensland Health that developed a new training program for all Emergency Department staff to better manage people who present with mental health and suicide ideation,” Paul said.

Living in regional Tasmania and personal tragedy have profoundly shaped Laura’s perspectives. She is a lived experience advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, advising organisations at a state, national and international level.

“My PhD is exploring the role of community-based suicide prevention in rural areas and I am intending to develop best practice guidelines for youth suicide prevention,” she said. “I am looking forward to sharing with Manna Institute my insights into the determinants of health and suicidality, and what alternative supports might assist people in rural and regional areas who can’t access formal mental health services.”

Manna Institute formally welcomes its five latest team members. We look forward to collaborating with you in the months ahead.

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