After a mental health crisis involving a family member, suffering post-natal depression and being diagnosed with breast cancer, Lindy decided to reassess her life and pursue the Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315.
We sat down to find out about her experience of becoming a student again and where she is now.
What made you decide to pursue mental health?
Even though I had a stable job in local government where I had worked for over ten years, a mental health crisis involving a close family member was the catalyst that led me to become interested in the field of mental health. I always joked to people that if I had my time again, I would like to become a psychiatrist!
However, the thought of changing careers was out of the question. I was about to have a baby and I thought I was too ‘old’ to do something so drastic and risky.
After the birth of my baby I suffered post natal depression which was simply horrible. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic was just starting to have its impact on the world. Life was completely terrifying. My son and I stayed in a mother baby unit for two months, which is a psychiatric hospital for mums where their baby can stay with them. I eventually recovered and after a few months I finally started enjoying my new life with my son, navigating a brave new world.
After about six months I was preparing to return to work and start a life as a working mother, but one day in the shower I found a lump and was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer. I was distraught. Things were just starting to get good and then my world had fallen apart again.
I wanted to do whatever it took to ensure that my son would have his mum in his life for a long time. My plans to go back to work were derailed. The doctor told me that I would have to start a harrowing regime of chemotherapy and radiotherapy that would last about 10 months. Luckily I got free day care support for my son and that was really helpful.
To distract myself from my cancer, I thought I would enrol myself in a TAFE course – a Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315. It gave me something to look forward to and focus on. Although it was challenging at times, I absolutely loved being a student after so many years, studying something I was actually interested in!
It sounds like a cliché but it’s true – life is short. When something like cancer happens in your life, you reassess what is important – what do you want to do with your life?
Why did you choose to study at Victoria University Polytechnic?
It seemed to be one of the few TAFEs which offered the Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315. It was close to where I live, making it very convenient. I liked the idea of a TAFE which was linked directly with a university too.
What did you like most about your course?
Two things were a standout for me:
- The content. As well as being interesting, we learned so much practical stuff that is used in mental health organisations on a day-to-day basis, like recovery-oriented practice, trauma-informed care, and strengths-based practice. We got lots of opportunities to practice what we learned by doing role plays. It really sets you up to get a job in the field.
- Our Course Coordinator and main teacher, Andrew, was outstanding. He was organised, he was engaging and he came with plenty of real life stories from his time in the mental health field to entertain us and help us envisage what life is really like as a recovery-oriented mental health worker. He had all these memorable sayings which stick in your head like ‘do the right thing but do the thing right.’
What are you doing now?
I gradually realised during my year of study that I didn’t want to go back to my office job. I wanted to take the plunge, change careers and work in mental health.
For about eight months I volunteered at PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia) and the Salvation Army as an Emergency Relief Interviewer working with a diverse range of people. For example, refugees, people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence, disability, and so on. Now I am about to embark on my first paid job in the mental health field as a recovery support worker at NEAMI, a national mental health organisation. I’m really looking forward to it.