Profile: Nataly Bovopoulos, Mental Health Promotion Manager

"the greatest challenges is overcoming public confusion ... and breaking down the stigma of mental illness"

Our organisation: Mental Health Association NSW, The Mental Health Association NSW Inc is a non-government organisation and registered charity funded by NSW Health. Members are people who are interested in mental health issues. The Board of management is elected annually from the membership. The Association's major activities include provision of the Mental Health Information Service, the Facing Anxiety Program, support groups (including training and establishment of new groups), mental health promotion and advocacy.

My responsibilities: I manage a number of varied statewide mental health promotion projects including coordinating Mental Health Week in NSW each year, the Workplace Health Promotion Network for HR and OH professionals, delivering workshops across the state to increase workforce capacity, as well as strategic planning and building partnerships with other organisations. I see the overall aim of my role is to increase public awareness of the importance of maintaining good mental health and the relevance of promoting mental health across difference sectors and settings, including the workplace.

Our team: A small but enthusiastic team of about 15, many who have been with the organisation for 10 years or plus! We also have a steady flow of volunteers and students whose contribution is invaluable to achieving our goals.

Our greatest challenges: One of the greatest challenges in my role is in overcoming the common public confusion that mental health is a positive concept, rather a negative one, and in breaking down the associated stigma of mental illness. There is also a lot of misunderstanding of what mental health promotion means in practice, and who should be responsible for it. This is slowly changing however, and I believe our work is making a contribution to that change.

The main difference between the NFP and private sectors: Our bottom line is essentially different. We are interested in promoting good mental health, the private sector is interested in increasing productivity and profit. The irony is however, that workers with good mental health are more productive and will contribute to a larger profit margin in the private sector, so it makes good sense to invest in health and wellbeing initiatives.

What inspired you to get involved in your organisation? Previous to joining the MHA I worked in the research and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety disorders and had became more interested in how to promote health and prevent illness at a population level. I went back to university and studied public health, and was lucky enough to be offered a job at the MHA soon after graduating. It combines my experience and training in psychology and public health really well, and the small team environment of the organisation really appeals to me.

How have you utilized goodcompany? We have used goodcompany on a number of occasions, most recently working with an experienced event manager who provided support during the planning of Mental Health Week. We’ve also utilized skilled volunteers to provide specific training, on Excel for example. The experience has been really positive and rewarding, and I find that there are mutual benefits for the organisation and volunteer.

Tips for Community Groups working with skilled volunteers: Be clear about what you’re looking for and the time commitment that would be required by the volunteer. Make an agreement early on how you will communicate and be prepared to be flexible as commitments can change. Don’t be afraid to show your appreciation for their work, and don’t underestimate just how much they may be able to contribute to the organisation.

Tips for Volunteers working with community groups in skilled volunteering: Even if you only have a few hours to spare each week, you’d be amazed how much you can help out a non-profit, so if you have skills you think could contribute then post a profile.