recovery

Fay Jackson delivers keynote addresses and courses about recovery to workplaces that support people with the lived experience of mental illness, and to groups of people who have mental health issues. The keynote addresses are very informative, unique, funny, motivating, surprising and life changing for many. The courses are strong practically and theoretically and are based on Fay’s research and her own recovery (scroll to the bottom of the page to read part of her story), and many other's life time experiences of mental illness and recovery. Her work with motivating and mentoring hundreds of other Psychologically Diverse Citizens through their own recovery journeys also informs this inspiring experience. She delivers the speeches and training to groups of citizens who wish to find a better way of living, to NGOs, government services and carers who support people through their recovery and to the corporate sector.

Psychologically Diverse Citizens, Peer Support Workers, PHaMs workers, clinicians and managers are experiencing positive and often very unexpected outcomes after having motivation, consultancy, training and support from Fay. These outcomes are improving the lives of the people who are regaining their citizenship and for the families, staff and managers who support them.

We tailor make each speech and course to suit your needs. Every person’s journey of recovery is unique, however there are some common ways of thinking that can motivate, help or hinder recovery by the individual or service. Most carers, service cultures, and staff are very well meaning but some attitudes, actions and language may be inhibiting recovery rather than helping. In fact 'helping' may inadvertently be making people with mental health issues dependent on other people, individual workers and services rather than being truly recovery oriented. While we all need support sometimes, there are both productive and disabling ways of giving support. For example Fay askes: "do you give support as a crowd supports an athlete, or as a leg supports a person on a three legged stool? What happens when you remove one of those legs?"

There are some very easy to learn changes that people with a lived experience of mental illness, carers, communities and services can learn which can transform an individual’s life and the outcomes for all. These changes also lead to less burnout and greater job satisfaction for staff and managers.

Fay has also had considerable experience in working with people with Dual Disability (intellectual disability and mental illness) from children through to adults and with people with Dual Diagnosis (mental illness and drug and alcohol misuse).

Experience motivational and inspiring workshops which will be filled with 'light bulb' moments, humour, passion, discovery, practical tools and lead to life changing journeys, productive lives and positive outcomes.

Some of the subjects covered in the recovery courses for Consumers, Peer Support Workers, PHaMs Workers, managers, carers and clinicians are:

What is recovery? Acceptance of self and mental illness discussion. Basic information on mental illnesses. Sheding the stigma and loosing or minimising the labels. Becoming and realizing. Strengths based and recovery oriented self, services and language. Asking the vital questions. Issues verses symptoms. Recovery Through Discovery Dignity of Risk Hope Want Connection Curiosity Roles and goals Encouragement Collaboration Mapping Shaking off the victimhood Relaxation and Mindfulness Stay Well Plan Celebrating Plus many more unique subjects

Fay's Recovery

Fay was told by 3 psychiatrists that her mental illness was so disabling that she would never work or be an active contributing member of society. She and others believed them as she had been so unwell and had major cognitive impairment as a consequence. After her darling brothers death (he also had bipolar) Fay decided she would do some voluntary work for the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund. She began telling her story at forums. She was then approached to work 2 days per week as a Consumer Advocate for a government mental health service. So she had her first permanent job at the age of 40. For a year she travelled to and from work crying with fear. On the way to work she cried from fear that she wasn't capable to do the work, and fear on the way home that 'they' (her boss and other staff and consumers)would realize that she was a fake and incapable of what she had been employed to do. She stuck with it, and with her boss’s support, within 2 years she went on to be one of the directors of the service. She won many awards and helped countless Psychologically Diverse Citizens and was active in leading and instigating changes at all levels of the service. This is Dignity of Risk.

For more information on motivation, training and services contact Fay on 0438 472 254 or email her on fay@visioninmind.com.au