Five dedicated team members from the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre (HBNC) have successfully completed a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, delivered by Simple Solutions.

The graduating team—Narelle Duroux, Amanda Rosenberger, Tara Duerkop, Melissa Gray, and Ellie May—are now better equipped to support the mental health needs of the Fraser Coast community.

The course emphasised skills in active listening, empathy, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention, providing participants with tools to offer compassionate and effective mental health support. Through this qualification, the graduates also explored the importance of reducing stigma and leveraging lived experiences to connect with those in need.

Empowering Peer Support and Reducing Stigma

Graduate Tara Duerkop reflected on how the course deepened her ability to recognise signs of mental health challenges and support others empathetically.

“I learned the importance of reducing stigma and managing my own well-being while supporting others. Understanding the value of peer support and shared experiences was another key takeaway,” she said.

Ellie May highlighted how the training will directly benefit her work with HBNC clients.

“The course equipped me to work alongside people with mental health concerns in a trauma-informed way, ensuring they feel heard, understood, and accepted,” she said.

Ellie also appreciated the personal growth the course offered, giving her tools to manage her own mental health while effectively guiding others to support services.

Strengthening Team Bonds and Community Impact

For Amanda Rosenberger, completing the course alongside her HBNC colleagues was particularly rewarding.

“It was an opportunity to better understand my co-workers' roles while learning strategies for crisis intervention, active listening, and setting boundaries to prioritise self-care,” she said.

Narelle Duroux emphasised how the training will enable her to guide clients towards appropriate resources and support plans.

“Mental health care is an evolving practice. I now have a deeper understanding of how peer workers can complement clinical treatment by building strong, trusting relationships,” she noted.

A Commitment to Mental Health Awareness

HBNC congratulates Narelle, Amanda, Tara, Melissa, and Ellie on this significant accomplishment.

Their enhanced skills will strengthen the centre’s ability to support mental well-being and create a safer, more supportive community.

HBNC’s ongoing commitment to professional development ensures team members are equipped to respond to the diverse needs of the Fraser Coast community, with a focus on empathy, inclusivity, and informed care.