The connection between physical and mental health has always intrigued Michelle Walsh.
Her interest began in one of her earliest roles as an exercise physiologist.
She was working in a community health setting assisting clients with a range of challenges.
“Helping people with their physical health gave me a great insight into the impact of mental illness,” she says.
Michelle worked with GPs and clinics to help rehabilitate clients through addressing a range of unmet needs and encouraging them to become more involved in their community.
Her interest in mental health led her to work in an educational role in the UK, with a specialised focus on special needs and behavioural issues in youth populations.
She then moved back to Australia to work at Rivendell, a Sydney school for young people facing emotional difficulties – and later took on a community engagement role at Headspace.
Throughout her working life, Michelle has understood the importance of teaching skills in emotion management.
She’s found it enriching to see troubled young people move independently towards recovery.
South Eastern Community Connect (SECC) recently appointed Michelle as our Community Strengthening Team Leader as part of a restructure which will enable us to meet the needs of the community even more effectively.
She’s looking forward to building on the work SECC has been doing to build independence, wellbeing, and quality of life in south-eastern Sydney.
“SECC helps people to take ownership of their happiness and improve their lives through community engagement,” she says.
“There’s huge diversity in this region and there’s much we can do to promote inclusion and value each person equally.
“I’m excited to be building relationships and programs so more people can actively participate in their community and look after their mental health in positive ways.”