From incidents of physical and sexual abuse to substance dependency, Vanessa has overcome a wealth of hardship to get to where she is today and joins me to tell her story.

When you or someone you know is having a hard time mentally dealing with things, the simple realisation that you’re “not alone” make a huge difference to how you deal with it. This is the foundation of lived-experience – to share stories, extend empathy, and help shape the outcome for others in similar situations.

Our guest for this week is Vanessa Kite, a Maori woman of Te Aupouri, Ngai Takoto decent, and one of the 2021 recipients of the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association study grants. As a registered nurse, Vanessa is passionate about helping to improve the quality of life for others, with plans in place to become a credentialled Mental Health Nurse with
her studies.