Brad did not always feel comfortable with himself or with who he was. However, he was always passionate about having conversations surrounding mental health and emotions – a far cry from what his male friends liked to talk about.
After he left his retail job during one of the notorious Melbourne COVID-19 lockdowns, Brad chose to study mental health. When faced with the opportunity of undertaking the Earn and Learn Traineeship, Brad seized the moment and hasn’t looked back. While concerned about the challenges of juggling work and study, as soon as he stepped into PARC (Prevention and Recovery Care) Services at Fitzroy, he knew he had found his career launchpad. He felt the program would not only teach him a lot about himself but also how to care for and support others – maybe even his friends!
‘The team I worked with is full of talented and patient people who made me feel safe to explore that space and make mistakes, and I let go of some of [my] fears,’ he says.
He also said that his fears dissipated as he realised he was working in a space where people had a shared role, and they all wanted to do the best for the participants.
When asked about his thoughts on the stereotypes relating to men talking about their emotions and mental health, Brad said, ‘While there is room for improvement when it comes to men and mental health, it is slowly starting to change. More men are taking steps to tackle the subject and are even embarking on working in mental health.’
It’s safe to say that since being involved in the traineeship, Brad feels more comfortable with who he is and is now confident talking about mental health matters.