MEET THE PASSION, DEDICATION AND EXPERIENCE BEHIND MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT

Dan's impressive sporting career spanned over nine years culminating in his 150th game played for the St George Illawarra Dragons. During his career as a professional athlete, he struggled with and overcome many adversities. Using the power of personal story and lived experience to break down the stigma which stops people seeking help for mental health issues, Dan focusses on driving change by altering society’s perception of mental health issues and those struggling with them.

Dan was diagnosed with Type 2 Bipolar Disorder in 2010. At the height of his mental illness and the struggle it presented, he felt alone and isolated as access to information was not readily or easily available. This led to him feeling vulnerable and fearful as he felt it showed weakness to ask for help or assistance. At the time, Dan knew there would be other people in similar situations, experiencing similar issues who also needed access to helpful information and support. Although a challenging time in his own life, Dan knew if he could openly and honestly share his experiences, knowledge and coping strategies, he would be able to assist others in better managing their own mental health.

His own life experiences and determination to help others is what inspired the creation of The Mental Health Movement and lead to Dan’s further study in Mental Health, Community Services, Mental Health First Aid, Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD), Fitness, Business and Career Development.

Nadeen is a very hard working, resilient individual. At a young age she tragically lost her father. This sudden loss devastated her and the family. Struggling as a young teenager Nadeen felt lost, alone and isolated.

Through a positive mentor in her grandmother, Nadeen learnt to look at the silver lining and be grateful for the things she did have and the things she was doing. Moving away from her comfort zone at 18 years of age, she started her career in the corporate world and by 21 was a Branch Manager for St George Bank. For years she flourished becoming the best version of herself.

At 21 she had her daughter and her life took a different path. A path of a poor relationship that lacked support, love and affection. Experiencing years of struggle the relationship broke down and she became a single parent. Having to again be resilient and work through another challenge Nadeen found a passion to help others. Using her experiences, passion and skills she worked in customer relations helping individuals, bringing joy to their lives. Nadeen has become an integral part of the Mental Health Movement. She possesses a unique set of skills in understanding people. This goes a long way in understanding our clients needs and objectives, formulating strategies to assist the individual and the company in finding the best version of themselves.

Chris Houston has been a professional sportsman for over 15 years. He played 10 years in the NRL with both the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights. He also played 3 years overseas in the English Super League for the Widnes Vikings.

Whilst playing at all three clubs Chris was given chances to work in high-pressure, result driven environments. He has been involved in leadership groups in all three clubs and has also had the honor of captaining each team.

During his early years as a sportsman he realised the need to develop himself as a person, finding an identity and purpose through completing a Bachelor of Primary Education. Chris has also studied in the mental health space completing a Mental Health First Aid Accreditation and a Certificate in Counseling.

Throughout his life Chris has faced many changes, challenges and adversities. Some as simple as moving out of home at 17 years old, to moving overseas with a young family and having no support.

During these times Chris’s mental health was challenged. He was forced into a dark place with no light at the end of the tunnel. Through his personal resilience, coping strategies and support networks Chris worked through and overcame these challenges and got back to the best version of himself.

Chris has seen the need for males to be able to start the conversation and seek support, also witnessing what can happen when they don’t. Chris is passionate and driven to be a part of the change the mental health space needs through sharing his education and lived experience.

Zoey Krkovski is the Office and Accounts Manager at Mental Health Movement. Zoey has over a decade of high-level administrative experience, with a Certificate IV in Business from the Australian College of Commerce and Management.

With the tragic loss of two very close family members in a small space of time due to health issues, Zoey became aware of her resilience and pushed herself and her family to be the best versions of themselves that they can be. Zoey also credits her strengths to her grandmother, father and partner for always supporting her, no matter what.

Zoey has been with MHM for 2 years and is extremely passionate about working with our team and our clients in creating mentally healthy and supportive workplaces.

Dr Alisha McGregor has her PhD in Psychology from the University of Wollongong, specialising in Occupational Health Psychology. Since finishing her PhD in 2017, she has been working as a casual academic and research fellow at the University of Wollongong, in the School of Psychology.

Dr Alisha McGregor's research is focused on understanding how working conditions and the physical and mental health of employees affects workplace outcomes, such as presenteeism, absenteeism and work productivity.

Dr Alisha McGregor is a published author, having published several articles in peer-reviewed academic journals in the area of Occupational Health Psychology. Since 2014, Dr Alisha McGregor has presented her work at several international conferences across Canada, Europe and Australia.

Dr Alisha McGregor is passionate about understanding human behaviour in the workplace, helping organisations improve their performance and her development and delivery of MHM’s High Performance Leadership Training is showing just that.

Tim Mullen is a health and safety professional who has worked with numerous business both within Australia and overseas for the past fifteen years.

Tim firmly believes that health and safety is more than just compliance but developing a culture of care across any business is essential in achieving high performance safety outcomes. As part of a culture of care, the overall person plays a vital role where a mentally healthy workplace forms a vital part in the laying of that foundation for any business.

Tim has worked across many iconic construction projects in both Australia and New Zealand such as the New Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Road Superway, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch Convention Centre and the Gladstone Ports Dredging Project. Together with work for defence, manufacturing and the mining/quarrying industries.

Tim is a trained Lead Auditor in the Safety, Environment and Quality Fields and is a member of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety.

Tim holds a both a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Tasmania and a Masters in Workplace Health and Safety from the University of Newcastle. Supported by numerous diplomas in the safety, environmental and quality disciplines.

Debbie is a suicidologist, a criminologist and practising counsellor and psychotherapist. Debbie believes that education is key to understanding mental health.

An experienced and passionate educator, Debbie is recognised as an industry expert.

Debbie is a trainer and assessor at Lifeline and trains students who wish to volunteer on the phones at Lifeline. Debbie is an accredited mental health response and Mental Health First Aid trainer.

Debbie's presenting style is informative, educational and enjoyable. Debbie supports the approach of drawing on personal strengths and resilience to overcome adversity.

Debbie promotes a lifestyle of health, wellness and wellbeing and encourages and inspires people to be the best they can be.

Cecilia is a registered psychologist (Queensland) who specialises in Occupational Health Psychology, Counselling, Organisational Consultancy Services, Rehabilitation and Return to Work services. She is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Cecilia holds a Bachelor of Social Science from Deakin University and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling Psychology from Monash University.

She has undertaken significant on site work in the mining and construction industries, including 20 years of onsite EAP services, critical incident responses, peer support training and debriefing and change management and redundancy support.

Cecilia has run a private psychology practice in Cairns completing EAP, Medicare, worker’s compensation and other private practice counselling work for 20 years. Cecilia has worked for both the Queensland and the Australian Federal Governments as a psychologist and contractor, providing organisational consultancy services to Departments such as Employment and Training, Health and Education.

Using over 30 years experience living with a mental illness, Ben isn’t your average every day presenter delivering a boring presentation. The real, raw, no bullshit approach to life, what it can throw at us, what we can be presented with, and more importantly how we face it. Ben's focus is on educating and teaching the everyday practice tools we can use so that people no longer have to live in silence with mental illness or poor mental health.

Ben engages with communities coming together for a common cause creating events such as Ratfest, PPP4SPA, Walk it Off and Hitting The Road. Having worked with organisations such as Suicide Prevention Australia and Black Dog institute, In 2016 Ben was invited to the United States National conference on behavioural health and more recently in 2019 a guest speaker at the International Bi Polar Foundation international conference.

Robbie has been to dark places far too many times throughout his life. Whilst managing Bipolar Disorder, Robbie has learned one of the best ways to come out of those dark places is by facing your demons and seeking support. 

Robbie once thought vulnerability was weakness, but he has come to realise that it is in fact strength and the more we embrace and manage our struggles, the stronger we will all become. 

Through his knowledge, lived experience and mental health training, Robbie wants to help show people no matter where your headspace is, there is always a way to manage it and work through it. 

Robbie also believes as human beings we are all more resilient than we think and through any life challenge, change or adversity we are not alone.

Mitch has a background in Professional Sports and played Rugby League at the top level for 12 years.

Throughout his career Mitch played for the Parramatta Eels and St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL, as well as Hull KR, Wakefield Trinity and the London Broncos in the English Super League. Through his experience in these high-pressure environments Mitch built resilience and identified the need to prioritise self-care and support those around him.

During his career Mitch was confronted with and awakened to the effects that poor mental health and mental illness can have, and it became the driving force in his journey, education, and study, completing a Diploma in Mental Health, Mental Health First Aid Certification and Mental Health Response Certification.

Mitch also has experience working within the Wellbeing and Education space in the NRL and has done further study in Elite Athlete Mentoring.

With his own lived experience facing personal hardship and having to overcome adversity, Mitch understands firsthand that no one is immune from struggle.

Mitch is a dedicated trainer and facilitator for the Mental Health Movement and uses his own lived experience along with his education to work towards creating and developing mentally healthy, supportive, and safe communities and workplaces.