Relationships formed that led to the origin of Blue Phoenix

Our founding Leader, Suzanna and Blue Phoenix were featured in an achievement story from Brisbane South PHN.

BSPHN provide funding to Stepping Stone, a Clubhouse in Coorparoo, to deliver group-based and one-to-one support via the Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program. Stepping Stone member Suzanna Free credits the support of Stepping Stone, as well as initiative Upbeat Arts, as the supporters that enabled her to regain her voice, confidence, and wellbeing. Through the encouragement of these organisations, Suzanna participated in the Clemente Australia program at the Australian Catholic University (ACU), a free tertiary-level humanities program aiming to “break cycles of poverty, inequality and social injustice, for people experiencing complex life challenges, through access to university education”. With ongoing support from Stepping Stone staff and member-peers, Suzanna completed her studies in 2020, and has since become a Learning Partner within the program. More recently, Suzanna, alongside fellow ACU students and other Stepping Stone members, founded mental health advocacy and lived-experience education service, Blue Phoenix. Blue Phoenix volunteers provide presentations around mental health awareness to local community and business groups, aimed at stimulating conversations regarding mental health and stigma, at a grassroots, community level. Presentations offered and initiatives developed by Blue Phoenix include: Recovery stories of hope – to inspire and inform about mental illness New perspectives on mental health issues Discussions on how to reduce the stigma around mental health The Sunflower Quilt – which will be on display in the Brisbane Square Library for Mental Health Month (October), then later within the Chermside Library in November. ABC news ran a story in Feb 2022 on Suzanna and friend/colleague Risa, and their launch of the Blue Phoenix organisation – info via link:  These two Brisbane women want you to think differently about mental illness – ABC News

Thank you to the Federal Government funding for Brisbane South PHN to support Stepping Stone Clubhouse that has brought so many of our members together.