James Hill

James Hill's journey has followed an interesting path leading him to where he is today. For the majority of his adult life, he has worked in the electrical industry, and this is where his story gets interesting. He had existed with no real concept of mental well-being or mental ill-health. This lack of insight had allowed him to live for years struggling with his mental health, until the day he found himself facing a life changing choice.  He chose life and has been on a mission to assist others ever since then.

 

From the darkness he found his purpose, this purpose gave his life a whole new meaning. He picked himself up and saw that the lack of understanding about mental health had been his biggest barrier. He began studying a degree in counselling. The concepts of positive psychology, solution focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy resonated with him the most. Armed with this education, his lived experience, and the insights gained from working in trade and corporate leadership positions, he knew the issues individuals and organisations faced when it came to mental health and wellness.

 

He started on a journey of mental health advocacy; he became a public speaker sharing his story and providing education to help others struggling with mental ill-health. In 2017, together with a colleague, they created a fulltime mental health advocate position within a large organisation. This position has created mental health strategies, policies, and shifted a culture. Since then, he has worked tirelessly, educating himself and others about mental health and wellness. He is an accredited mental health educator and facilitator, with the ability to design and implement workplace mental health strategies.  In addition to this he works with individuals and groups to achieve the goal of wellness.

 

In 2019, he won the Queensland Open Minds Individual Contribution to Mental Health Award, and the Large Workplace Mental Health Award based on the Mental Health Advocate role. Since then, he has worked with the Yale program for recovery and community health to have a journal article published in the Brazilian Journal for Mental Health.  James is currently an Ambassador for the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, where he was able to influence and educate broader communities and workplaces on mental health and wellbeing.

 

In 2022, he was recognised as a nominee at the Australian of the Year awards in the Queensland Local Hero category for services to community and workplace mental health.  He has worked on several large workplace mental health strategies, and been able to provide consultancy services to assist workplaces develop strategies, and implement programs for better mental health.