Barb Walters
Manager Tasmania Growth & Transition, EACH
Barb has recently joined EACH a national not for profile organisation, who has 50 years’ experience delivering over 180 integrated youth and family, mental health, primary & allied health, AOD, disability, aged care, psychosocial and community support services.
Barb is steadfast in not taking mental health and wellbeing for granted and is looking forward to helping facilitate EACH's expansion in her home state, including the implementation of the first two headspace Early Psychosis Services in Tasmania.
As the former CEO of Rural Alive & Well (RAW), a Tasmanian rural suicide prevention organisation, and having lived in small rural Tasmanian communities all her life, Barb understands first-hand the complexities and joys experienced from remote and rural areas. During her time at RAW, Barb led the organisation to achieve national suicide prevention accreditation, a rigorous process that took over 12 months to complete. Barb also developed a partnership with Uni SA, to enable RAW suicide prevention staff to access and complete a Certificate of Behavioural Activation, specifically designed for non-clinical workers in a rural setting working with help-hesitant people.
Barb is also a facilitator for the AFL's only endorsed mental health program - A Head of the Game. Developed in conjunction with Movember and the University of Wollongong, the interactive workshops provide a great platform for junior footballers aged between 12-18 to increase their mental health literacy and learn some simple techniques to look after themselves and their mates.
Barb is excited to be a member of the Program Advisory Committee for the third year, because she is able to combine her knowledge and experience of non-clinical mental health programs and community-driven initiatives with her passion for advocacy and creating awareness.