About
Hi, I’m Hayley Harris,
I am a mental health trainer, facilitator, lived experience speaker and advocate, and community leader based in Perth, Western Australia.
Driven by purpose and passion, my journey to where I am today has been both challenging and rewarding.
I have faced my own struggles with mental health, including experiencing episodes of psychosis and severe depression and anxiety. But with the support of local community mental health organisations, my family, and art therapy, I am living proof that recovery is possible.
You can read more of my story here.
My journey has led me to become a peer facilitator, an accredited Mental Health First Aid instructor, Lived Experience (Peer) Lead and a community leader. I have gained a Diploma of Auslan and an incredible group of friends within the Deaf Community. I have been invited to share my lived experience recovery story at workshops and events, and I continue to be a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and education.
My lived experience has fueled my passion for mental health advocacy, and I am dedicated to helping others.
As a mental health trainer, facilitator, and lived experience speaker, I want to let people know that they are not alone and that there is hope.
“Something I have learned through my own personal journey is that recovery doesn’t happen in silo. Connectedness is recognised as a key process in mental health recovery.” — Hayley Harris
Professional Bio
Hayley Harris, based in Western Australia, is a passionate advocate and community leader with a deep commitment to mental health advocacy, driven by her own lived experiences with mental health challenges. Hayley’s purpose is to ensure that lived experiences voices are heard and supported to drive change.
With a diverse and extensive background in the mental health sector, Hayley provides a wealth of knowledge. Her professional journey includes frontline support work, along with roles as a facilitator, trainer, and Lived Experience (Peer) Lead with MIFWA. Beyond mental health, Hayley has experience working in disability services, aged care, and the youth sector, and was even employed as an Auslan Interpreter.
Hayley is currently employed as Lived Experience Project Lead with MIFA, delivers Mental Health First Aid training with Beyond All Bounds. In addition, she sits on the board of CoMHWA (Consumers of Mental Health WA) and works as a lived experience representative for various committees.
She is a Certified Personal Medicine Coach, qualified Peer Supervisor, holds a Diploma in Auslan, a Certificate IV in Education Support and a Certificate IV in Mental Health. In 2022, Hayley completed the Emerging Leaders in Governance Program.