Imogen Stahel – Why I work with NT PHN

Meet Imogen.

As our Regional Mental Health Strategy and Planning Coordinator, she will be working with service providers across the Territory to support their community in mental health and suicide prevention.

The NT presents many unique challenges due to its remoteness, languages, cultures and history. Deaths by suicide are the highest in the country which is why mental health and suicide prevention is one of the key priorities of NT PHN.

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Can you introduce yourself? 

Hi, I’m Imogen ????  

What is your role title and what is the purpose of your role? What are your responsibilities? 

I am the Regional Mental Health Planning and Strategy Coordinator with NT PHN. I am a part of the team developing the Regional Mental Health foundation plan. This plan seeks to better integrate mental health services and suicide prevention responses across the Northern Territory health and social service system. I am also involved with other mental health events and initiatives across NT PHN.  

How are you committed through your role to improving the health and wellbeing outcomes of the NT? 

My role is based on the regional mental health plan for the Territory. I visit different parts of the Territory to hear from groups on the ground who are delivering services to support their community. I will be taking on feedback from these communities and thinking about ways we can continue to fund different mental health providers and ensure more people across the Territory can access mental health support accordingly.  How would you describe the values and culture of NT PHN? 

I describe the culture at NT PHN as a team of people who practice what they preach – change, kindness and a great attitude to their everyday.  

What is your background / experience in the mental health space? 

I used to work for a youth mental health organisation based in Sydney called batyr. Batyr runs preventative programs in schools and universities aimed at addressing the stigma surrounding mental health and connecting more young people with services across schools and universities to help more young people manage mental illness at the preventative end rather than reactive. 

Why is it important that you’re working in the mental health space? 

The more we can treat our mental health the same way we look at our physical health, the more we’ll be able to connect people to support early on in their challenging moments. We should be able to feel safe and be proactive about supporting ourselves and each other.