20 Years of CoMHWA – Rahul’s Story
“I first came across CoMHWA in August 2016. At the time, I had established and was running the Perth Active Depression Support Group since June 2016 and was looking to network and grow the cause. The event I attended was the 10th anniversary celebration, and my first impression was, “How have you been around for 10 years, and I have never heard of you?” I met some prominent members of Perth’s mental health sector and learned about initiatives such as the Recovery College and Safe Haven Cafes that were just being incubated then.
From that event, I became a member and began to follow what was happening in Perth’s mental health sector through the excellent email newsletter distributed fortnightly.
I attended the 2016 AGM, where the keynote speaker was Stephen Dawson, then the Shadow Minister for Mental Health. I can’t remember what question I asked Stephen that day, but I gave him a brief overview of my group. A few weeks later, I received an email from his office asking me to meet him at Parliament House. Aside from some valued advice, not much came out of that meeting, but over the next few years, I casually bumped into Stephen in the community, and he recognised me by first name basis.
CoMHWA has enabled its members to be aware of what’s happening in Perth’s mental health sector and to hold those in key roles, such as ministers and staff of the Mental Health Commission, accountable for listening to the needs and desires of those battling mental illness. It’s wonderful to be part of that transparency and accountability.
From a personal point of view, in 2024, CoMHWA became Activate Mental Health’s first (my group rebranded in 2019) major sponsor, so it’s delightful to have the peak body support my volunteer team’s work in the community. Thank you, CoMHWA, for being the voice of consumers in WA and for improving the lives of those battling mental illness in our community.” – Rahul Seth
Thank you Rahul!
