Compassionate Health Care: Bridging the Gap in Warwick & Stanthorpe
Providing mental health care that looks at the whole person, HealthWISE mental health clinician Marina Jeeawody and lived experience worker Lisa Hedgman are dedicated to serving the Warwick and Stanthorpe communities.
In their fortnightly visits and regular telehealth appointments, the pair supports locals to improve their mental health with a holistic approach tailored to each person’s unique needs and goals.
Bringing a wealth of experience to the role, Marina has worked in the health field for almost three decades. She has bachelor’s degrees in nursing and medical science, graduate diplomas in psychological studies, psychology and neuroscience, and is currently working on a masters in mental health nursing.
“Over my career, I have worked across inpatient, community, rural and remote settings, honing a broad skillset to address complex mental health challenges,” she said.
“My approach emphasises the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, using integrative care plans to address each client’s unique physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual needs.”
She says therapy can be a bit like detective work and the key is in developing a strong relationship with each client so that they feel safe and comfortable to open up.
Marina provides a range of therapies for conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). She also incorporates art therapy, mindfulness, meditation, and psychoeducation into her practice.
“Whether working individually or with multidisciplinary teams, my goal is to deliver compassionate, person-centred care that prioritises each client’s wellbeing,” she said.
Whether working individually or with multidisciplinary teams, my goal is to deliver compassionate, person-centred care that prioritises each client's wellbeing
A passionate advocate for clients, Lisa’s lived experience with mental ill health means she has a profound understanding of the challenges they face. She works with clients to develop a comprehensive support plan, taking into account their personal context such as family structure, language and culture, employment and living arrangements, along with recovery goals and crisis management techniques.
“It’s a lot to do with helping people to manage their lives, because some people get so overwhelmed,” she explained.
“Every person has a map of their lives and every person’s map is so different and independent from anyone else. What might have worked for another client doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to work for that client. It’s about learning about who that person is and really listening.”
Lisa helps clients overcome obstacles to care by linking them to local services, supporting them with initial appointments and advocating on their behalf.
“I’m helping people to gain a little bit more independence and get that courage,” she said.
Marina and Lisa were both inspired to work in mental health after seeing the depth of need in the community.
As a young nurse in an oncology centre in Ukraine, Marina saw that while physical needs were being met, counselling for cancer patients was still rare.
“I said, there’s a need,” she recalled.
She saw the value in connecting with those struggling with their mental health, and would take the time to chat – sometimes into the early morning hours – with patients who were distressed.
She began training and working directly in mental health when she moved to Australia in 1996, and has worked in rural communities for more than 20 years.
Every person has a map of their lives and every person's map is so different and independent from anyone else... It's about learning about who that person is and really listening.”
For Lisa, the experience was firsthand. Her own journey with depression and domestic violence means she has seen both sides of a mental health ward – first as a patient, and later as a peer support worker.
“I was quite open about suffering with depression and back in the 90s it was quite taboo,” she said.
“I had a lot of family and friends that would come to me and talk to me about what they were going through, and they would say; it was so good that you were open about it because it just was more open for us and our family to talk about it.”
Lisa continued to see the need for mental health support as she worked in a range of community roles in New Zealand and Australia, supporting families and helping people transition back into the community after jail.
Marina and Lisa share a passion for improving access to mental health support in rural communities. They both have a deep empathy for people living with mental ill health, and seek to provide quality integrated care that addresses each client’s unique needs.