Mental health peer workers using first-hand experience of depression to help save lives

Mental health peer worker Paul Miners is using his experience to help other people to recover. (Facebook: Paul Miners)

When Paul Miners sits down to work with someone with a mental illness he is bringing the kind of experience most people do not have.

The Wollongong mental health peer worker with Grand Pacific Health is a suicide survivor.

After coming out of an induced coma following an attempt to take his life in 2019, he not only faced his mental health issues but also acquired a brain injury that doctors said meant he may not work or study again. 

Not only is he employed, he is about to complete his Certificate 4 in Peer Work at TAFE NSW.

"Peer work is a different approach because we share our own recovery and can give them a hope for their future. They can grab pieces of our recovery," he said.

"We've felt isolation and hopelessness."

Paul Miners said he found it particularly helpful to talk to peer workers during his recovery. (Facebook: Paul Miners)

Personal experience shaped career

Mr Miners said peer workers are able to break through the stigma around mental health and suicide, and make a medical environment less daunting.

When he was recovering from his suicide attempt, he had two peer workers that not only provided invaluable care but also steered him to his new career path.

"It was so refreshing to have someone to talk to who had similar experiences to myself, they understood me better and could help me in different ways that I needed help," he said.

He will soon finish his TAFE NSW qualification and is speaking out on R U OK Day to act as an inspiration for others.

"I like being able to let others know I've made it through that tough time and here I am today helping other people," he said.

"I just want to give back to others out there and I can do that at Grand Pacific Health and give people hope and encouragement."

Working in mental health part of recovery

Mr Miners said that working in the mental health space was not a triggering experience.

Today is R U OK Day, which is a chance to start a conversation with people about their mental health. (ABC News: Johanna Nicholson)

Despite regularly sharing his own stories of dealing with mental illness, he said it was about being comfortable with accepting the difficult times in life.

"Sharing that with someone is empowering and it's a great feeling to know you've got something to give to someone else.

"I don't really get triggered. I'm used to it and it doesn't affect me."