Peer support workers let you know you're not alone

3 Feb 2026

Rachael Graham knows what it’s like to struggle with mental health and she’s on a mission to support others on their journey.  

She’s one of a number of Peer Support Workers at Perth’s Medicare Mental Health Centres who use their own experience to help others, drawing on the value of lived experience to make members of the public feel comfortable when they first reach out. 

“Being a peer support worker means I use my own experiences to help others who might be going through similar things,” says Rachael. 

She says people can feel nervous coming into Medicare Mental Health for the first time as they may never have spoken to anyone about emotions in the past, so it can be helpful to meet and chat with someone who knows a bit about how that can feel. 

“I help people feel welcome when they first arrive, greet them, make them a cuppa, have a sit down and a chat if they want to; my job is really about helping people feel comfortable and making sure they can then get what they need from the visit,” says Rachael. 

She says offering people that avenue to express what they’ve been going through and validating their current experience creates a safe space where people can be themselves. 

“I really want to help others with what I’ve learned from my own experiences. Knowing that there are other people out there who have been through similar things can really help people see a way forward when they’re struggling,” she says. 

“To be able to provide that for free through Medicare Mental Health Centres is really rewarding. You can walk in any time for immediate support or to book an appointment for counselling – no cost and no referral or Mental Health Care Plan needed.” 

Medicare Mental Health Centres at Midland and Armadale are open every day from 10am to 8pm, including public holidays. The Mirrabooka and Gosnells centres are co-located within medical practices and open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). 

All centres offer community-based mental health and emotional support for adults, including those experiencing distress and anxiety. Family members, carers and friends are also welcome. More at wapha.org.au/mmhc or call 1800 595 212.