At Albury Wodonga Health, mental health care is strengthened by lots of different kinds of expertise: clinical, professional and lived.
For Sheree Crothers, that lived experience is what guides her work every day as a Carer Peer Support Worker at Albury Wodonga Health’s Kerferd Unit in Wangaratta.
Drawing on her own lived experience as a carer, she walks alongside families and carers of people experiencing mental health challenges and helps them feel seen, heard and supported during some of the most challenging moments in their lives.
Here’s her story.
What inspired you to become a carer peer support worker?
“I started caring at a very young age, around six years old, for a loved one who was struggling with their mental health. At that age, I didn’t really understand what was happening, but I learnt early what it meant to hold responsibility worry and love all at once.
Growing up in that environment shaped the way I see the world. It taught me empathy, patience and the importance of connection, but it also showed me how invisible carers can feel.
As I got older, I realised I wanted to turn those experiences into something meaningful — to use my story to walk alongside other carers so they feel seen, valued and supported.”
What does a typical day look like for you at Kerferd?
Every day is different! I start with the morning handover with the team, then help support the occupational therapists (OTs) with the morning walk and coffee meeting, where we get consumers together to talk about their plans for the day.
After that, I connect with families. This can be in person if they’re visiting, but it’s mostly over the phone when they’re at home. I never want to interrupt a visit unless they ask to see me, but I like them to know I’m here and available whenever they need support.
I also work alongside the OTs on group activities like big breakfasts and barbecue lunches, and I help run education sessions and movie groups. And of course, there’s our famous Friday Fun Day – everyone’s favourite!
Behind the scenes, I’m studying a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Support through Wodonga TAFE, and I’m part of the new Virtual Recovery Group pilot, facilitate ASIST suicide intervention and Principles in Practice workshops, which has been really rewarding.”
What does “lived and living experience” mean to you?
“For me, it refers to having personal experience of mental health challenges - either your own or through caring for someone else.
It means you’ve navigated systems, stigma, recovery, caring responsibilities, and all the complexities that come with that. We draw on those experiences to offer intentional peer support, creating a safe space and supporting authentic, mutual connection.
It helps to balance power, build hope, and shape better services. I love that it’s about learning with each other - not just providing care, but walking alongside people.”
What are some of the challenges in your role?
“One of the biggest challenges is that not everyone knows what I do. Because the carer peer support role is still quite new, some carers don’t even know this kind of support exists. I often hear, ‘I didn’t even know you were here!’
We’ve really shaped our own role over the past year. Lived experience isn’t enough on its own - you also need to know how to use it to support people effectively.”
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
“Definitely supporting families. Peer support being acknowledged that it is making a difference in people’s lives. To be able to connect and have someone hold space for us while listening and validating our experiences.
And when someone says, ‘Thank you so much for listening’, I love knowing I’ve made even a tiny little bit of difference in someone's day.”
What do you wish more people understood about caring for someone with mental health?
“How much it affects every part of your life, emotionally, mentally and even sometimes physically. It’s more than just being there for the person you love; it’s about holding things together when everything feels like it’s falling apart. We carry so much worry and hope at the same time, always trying to stay strong even when you’re running on empty. It can feel lonely, but underneath it is all love, that’s what keeps you going. I wish more people understood how complex that love can be, it’s strong, exhausting and deeply human.
What I know from my own lived experience is the emotional isolation, stress and burnout that carers feel. I understand that deeply. I’ve got nine children myself and have been in a caring role on and off for the last 36 years so I know how hard it can be to balance caring responsibilities with work, for example. Having supportive colleagues makes a huge difference.”
How do you look after your own mental health?
“I’ve done a lot of personal growth and reflection work, which helps me stay mindful of how I’m feeling each day. Spending time with my boys, I absolutely love my family time, so maintaining that work-life balance is important to me. I also love nature. I live in Yarrawonga right on the Murray River, and I love walking by the water. It’s my time to recharge. Nature is incredibly healing.”
What gives you hope in your work?
“My team at Kerferd gives me hope. They really embrace lived experience expertise, and they’re supportive and open. We all work together - lived experience and clinical staff - striving for the same outcomes: recovery-oriented, trauma-informed care, and continuous service improvement.
To be part of a team that values everyone’s expertise equally is really special.”
What’s your message for Mental Health Month?
“I want our community to remember that recovery is possible, and that none of us are alone in this. Let’s keep creating spaces where people feel safe to talk about their journeys, and where carers, families and individuals feel supported, understood and valued.”
Thanks for sharing your story, Sheree!