Graduates from the 2024/2025 Mind Peer Cadet Program are ready to kick-start their careers in mental health, after successfully completing their 10-month cadetship.
Each year the Peer Cadet Program provides paid work experience opportunities in lived experience positions for Victorians studying a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
These cadetships are a valuable opportunity for students to develop knowledge, skills and confidence in a supportive, real-world setting.
This year, graduates were able to put their studies into practice in a range of Mind settings, including LGBTIQA+ Aftercare, and youth and adult Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) services.
Mind peer cadets Anna Wright, Rebekah Edginton and Rebecca Theodore (not pictured) and peer mentors, Kristy Collins, Maddie Cox and Elizabeth Leathart (not pictured) were recently acknowledged at a graduation ceremony hosted by the Victorian Department of Health.
Daisy Gleeson, Mind Senior Manager Lived Expertise Workforce Growth and Development, says the Peer Cadet Program is making a career in mental health more attainable for people with a lived and living experience of mental health challenges.
“The Peer Cadet Program has been well established over a number of years now, and we’ve seen many program graduates who have successfully progressed to permanent employment with host organisations or within the mental health sector,” Ms Gleeson said.
“On behalf of Mind, I congratulate Anna, Rebekah and Rebecca and all participants graduating from this year’s Peer Cadet Program. It’s so exciting to see the continued growth of the lived experience workforce, and I look forward to seeing you all flourish as you take the next step in your careers.”
In total, Victoria’s Peer Cadet Program this year included 27 placements across host organisations including Mind, Neami National, Each, Uniting Victoria Tasmania, cohealth, Wellways, Ballarat Community Health, Eating Disorders Victoria and ermha365.
The Peer Cadet Program is coordinated by the Lived Experience Career Compass, which is making it easier for people who have experienced mental health challenges to enter and build a career in the lived and living experience workforce in Victoria.
Hosted by Mind, the Lived Experience Career Compass, which also includes the Local Mental Health and Wellbeing Services Early Careers Program and the Pilot Student Placement Program, is the central point of contact and support for program participants and for the organisations that employ them.
For more information visit Peer Cadet Program or email [email protected]