In this episode of GET REAL we meet Heidi Everett, who has lived experience of psychiatric wards and what she describes as living with a “psych reality”. Melbourne-based Heidi is an advocate, writer, poet, producer, performer, public speaker…and that’s not all.
“My creativity and mental health advocacy are joined at the hip. Both require a little bit of courage and a cheeky attitude to have a go and not fear failing.”
She’s written a powerful debut book called My Friend Fox about her experiences. This book goes beyond Heidi’s mental health file and tell in her own words and memories the living, breathing experience of her life. It takes readers beyond a person’s diagnosis.
Heidi ended up in a public psychiatric ward when she was in her early 20s, with what she describes as an allergic stress reaction.
“I’d been struggling quite a bit living on the streets, hanging around some pretty interesting people but life wasn’t really quite how it should be attempted,” Heidi explains.
She was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder, though Heidi prefers to refer to it as schizo-affective, taking out the clinical term.
“I think (stress reaction) is behind so many diagnoses of mental health realities…we talk about complex trauma a lot in this world today and I feel that’s behind everything.”
Heidi wants anyone who reads her book to see people in the mental health system, “not at victims of a mental illness but as survivors” and to see that those in psych wards and on the street have “Deep and ancient trenches etched into our lifelines”.
With creative expression at the heart of all she does, Heidi encourages others to tell their story in whatever way they’d like. “It’s your story, you tell it”.
CONTENT NOTE: if you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or go to lifeline.org.au
You can find out more about Heidi and her book My Friend Fox at http://www.heidieverett.com.au/
Schizy Inc is a collective of creative advocates, started by Heidi, with diverse lived experience of mental health.
ermha365 provides a range of mental health services designed to help people experiencing mental healt
ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.
Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline 13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467
ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.
We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.
In this episode of GET REAL we meet Heidi Everett, who has lived experience of psychiatric wards and what she describes as living with a “psych reality”. Melbourne-based Heidi is an advocate, writer, poet, producer, performer, public speaker…and that’s not all.
“My creativity and mental health advocacy are joined at the hip. Both require a little bit of courage and a cheeky attitude to have a go and not fear failing.”
She’s written a powerful debut book called My Friend Fox about her experiences. This book goes beyond Heidi’s mental health file and tell in her own words and memories the living, breathing experience of her life. It takes readers beyond a person’s diagnosis.
Heidi ended up in a public psychiatric ward when she was in her early 20s, with what she describes as an allergic stress reaction.
“I’d been struggling quite a bit living on the streets, hanging around some pretty interesting people but life wasn’t really quite how it should be attempted,” Heidi explains.
She was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder, though Heidi prefers to refer to it as schizo-affective, taking out the clinical term.
“I think (stress reaction) is behind so many diagnoses of mental health realities…we talk about complex trauma a lot in this world today and I feel that’s behind everything.”
Heidi wants anyone who reads her book to see people in the mental health system, “not at victims of a mental illness but as survivors” and to see that those in psych wards and on the street have “Deep and ancient trenches etched into our lifelines”.
With creative expression at the heart of all she does, Heidi encourages others to tell their story in whatever way they’d like. “It’s your story, you tell it”.
CONTENT NOTE: if you have been affected by anything discussed in this episode, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or go to lifeline.org.au
You can find out more about Heidi and her book My Friend Fox at http://www.heidieverett.com.au/
Schizy Inc is a collective of creative advocates, started by Heidi, with diverse lived experience of mental health.
ermha365 provides a range of mental health services designed to help people experiencing mental healt
ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.
Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline 13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467
ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.
We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.