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Everything You Need To Know About Integrity Initiative
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The ins and outs of Integrity Initiative - What is it? What do we do? Where are we headed?
❓Why do we need Integrity Initiative?
Integrity Initiative is a youth-led, Lived Experience mental health movement towards humanity and away from carceal, punitive care.
What do I mean by this?
Final Report - Ministerial Taskforce into Public Mental Health Services for Infants, Children and Adolescents aged 0 – 18 years in WA
Integrity Initiative emerged from the lowest of lows. Throughout my own experiences of mental ill-health and repeated hospitalisation, I experienced just how traumatising, dehumanising and heartbreaking our current mental health system is. I have seen and been subject to practices that no human should witness. I have lost count of how many times I’ve seen someone denied access to a toothbrush, to privacy, to clothes that aren’t made of paper… to human decency.
Integrity Initiative started with less than nothing - it began from disadvantage, inequity and pain. I have had to fight oppression, stigma, epistemic injustice, dog whistles, and labels, all of which have reliably tried to silence me. Through unrelenting hard work, more hours at libraries than I care to admit, several large almond milk flat whites, and (literally) blood, sweat and tears (yes, my fingers have fallen victim to the guillotine whilst cutting and folding a few hundred brochures, zines and miscellaneous resources), it is now officially standing on its own two feet.
Rachael’s LinkTree 👉 Rachaelburns1010
Rachael’s Linked In 👉 Rachael Burns
Rachael’s Instagram 👉 rachael_burns
✨ What is Integrity Initiative?
Integrity Initiative is a youth-led, grassroots mental health movement that works with communities, people receiving mental health care, and people providing this care.
Entirely operated by volunteers impassioned by their own Lived Experiences, we’re united on a mission to cultivate autonomy, dignity and human rights in mental health conversations and treatment.
Working with these three key populations…
We deliver care packages to people receiving treatment, which contain material basics (toiletries, comfortable clothing, skincare items etc) and informational resources (created by our team, and some from our partners) about individuals’ rights, how to advocate for them, and beyond.
We develop and deliver workshops to clinical staff to support them in better understanding the needs of the people they support.
We hold events such as exhibitions, Peer support groups, quiz nights, film screenings, creative workshops and safe spaces for communities, to normalise conversations around mental health and combat stigma.
We partner broadly and intersectionally, with the recognition that change does not happen in silos and that no single form of adversity exists in isolation. In our work, Lived Experience seeks not to fight current systems, but to collaborate for improvement.
Our theory of change:
Theory Of Change
1.23MB ∙ PDF file
🎁 Caring With Integrity
Caring With Integrity is a project by Integrity Initiative that delivers thoughtfully curated care packages to people experiencing mental health challenges — especially those receiving inpatient or emergency care.
Created by people with Lived and Living Experience, these packages are more than just a collection of items — they are a message: you are not alone, you are not forgotten, and you are worthy of care that is gentle, human, and real.
Each care package is trauma-informed, practical, and emotionally sensitive. They contain comforting items like journals, toiletries, affirmations, and handwritten notes from others with Lived Experience — small things that can make a big difference during distressing times.
These packages are distributed in collaboration with hospitals, peer workers, and community services, and are designed to offer support without judgment. They don’t assume what someone needs — they listen and hear
🎬 Project: Unfiltered
A grassroots film project and social movement amplifying Lived Experience in mental health
Unfiltered is a bold and deeply human short documentary project co-created by Rachael Burns (Integrity Initiative) and Lily Gresele (How To Be Well), two young Lived Experience leaders based in Boorloo (Perth). At its heart, Unfiltered is about storytelling — honest, raw, and unfiltered stories from people across Western Australia who live with mental health challenges.
Through on-camera interviews, written reflections, art, and community contributions, Unfiltered explores what it means to live, work, and advocate in a world that often isn’t built for you. It asks powerful questions about inclusion, empowerment, stigma, and what real change could look like — not just in Mental Health Week, but year-round.
The project will culminate in a premiere screening and panel event on October 5th at The Backlot Perth, followed by further screenings, creative contributions, and community conversations throughout Mental Health Week and beyond.
You can pre-order your tickets here and can learn more by checking out Unfiltered on our website
📰 Workshops
A major reason for the disconnect that exists between mental health services, communities, and those experiencing mental health challenges is a lack of understanding. Mental health is understood better than it HAS been, but it is so far from where it needs to be… whilst we can’t solve this issue, we can do our best to help humanise and understand mental health challenges and - in the process - to introduce new ways of thinking through our engaging, interactive educational workshops.
We are currently working to develop, refine and deliver 10 core modules which range from unpacking iatrogenic harm, reclaiming clinical jargon, and understanding your rights to exploring ways that Lived Experience and clinical practice can work together.
Express your interest to host a workshop here or
email me at rachael@integrityinitiative.com.au
🎪 Events
We are forever hosting exciting events that bring together folks from all different walks of life. These range from film screenings to quiz nights and creative days. We are also planning safe spaces, pop-up stalls, hobby spaces and beyond.
So far, we have had 2 film screenings, a quiz night, and we have presented at a conference! We are excited for many more events to come.
Here you can view our past events, our upcoming events, and browse some of the pictures taken at those we have already been at!
📒 Resources
Part of the work we do both for people receiving mental health care and for those providing care, as well as for communities is the development and distribution of resources… i.e. brochures, flyers, zines, booklets, and other tools that help people understand their rights, how they can advocate for these rights, and how to protect themselves whilst doing this.
Resources are included in our care packages and are also distributed more widely through the community across the various spaces in which we exist - at our events, in our day-to-day advocacy work, and even to people we meet on the street.
These will be made available through our web platform soon!
📰 Keep up-to-date with our newsletter
Because change is happening so rapidly, and because we now have so many partners and community members who are interested in our mission, we have started a monthly(ish) newsletter! Designed to keep you up to date with all of the relevant news and upcoming opportunities, our newsletter is the best way for you to stay connected.
Sign up for our newsletter using this form, or subscribe to our substack!
You can also read the past editions of our newsletter here.
🔗 Links
Website 👉 integrityinitiative.com.au
Instagram 👉 Integrity_Initiative
LinkedIn 👉 Integrity Initiative
Facebook 👉 Integrity Initiative
Give Now 👉 Through Consumers of Mental Health WA
Substack 👉 Integrity Initiative
Link Tree 👉 Integrity_Initiative
📸 Images and Videos
here is a collage of some of my favourite moments caught on camera, but there are many more over on our Instagram!
And this assortment details what our current projects and focuses are!
👥 Our team
Sophie Seinemeier, Chief Operations Officer
Briana Toy, Chief Programs Officer
Maeson Harvey, Integrity Army member
Emily Sullivan, Integrity Army member
Jas Ely, Integrity Army member
🫶🏼 Our partners
Integrity Initiative is thrilled to be formally auspiced through Consumers of Mental Health Western Australia and supported by several community, mental health, research, and healthcare organisations. The full list can be found on our website, here.
Organisational partners
Consumers of Mental Health Western Australia
Mental Illness Fellowship of WA
Helping minds
Neami National
1000 Hearts '
Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders
Yourtown
The Kids’ Research Institute
City of Melville
Care Opinion
Health and Disability Services Complaints Office
The Essentials Collective
How To Be Well
Health Consumers’ Council
WA Peer Supporters’ Network
Fundraising partners
Grill’d Applecross
The Backlot Perth
🤲🏼 Ways YOU can help
There are many ways to support Integrity Initiative and help us create a more compassionate, community-led approach to mental health.
Donate through Give Now
Your donation helps us carry out our base operations - care packages, resource printing, storage facilities, event hosting and beyond. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible! Donate here
Give Goods or in-kind support
We welcome donations of new items like journals, socks, and unused toiletries. Businesses can also partner with us through in-kind support, services, or event collaboration. See the safe donation guidelines here.
Host an Event or Fundraiser
From a workplace morning tea to a community fundraiser, hosting an event is a powerful way to raise awareness and funds for our mission. Fill out the form here.
Volunteer Your Time or Skills
Join us by helping pack care packages, contributing to events, or offering your unique skills. Every bit helps. Fill out the form here
Spread the Word
Follow us, share our work, and start conversations. Action is AN action, as is inaction.
🔮 Our future
Integrity Initiative is just in its inauguration. Being less than a year old, it has already grown beyond what we ever envisioned possible. As such, we don’t want to define it too rigidly.
That said, we aim to eventually reach a point of financial sustainability, where we have resources to pay employees and carry out our operations without completely relying on grants and donations.
We look forward to seeing this become more and more a reality as we continue to grow.
We are always incredibly keen to hear your perspectives and take on your ideas as we find our way. We have several feedback opportunities, engagement opportunities, and other ways for you to have your voice heard through our website!
As comprehensive as this overview is, realistically it is only a small fraction of what Integrity Initiative is and what it hopes to become. It is only natural that you be left with more questions than answers, and I encourage you to reach out!
Join the Ingetrity Army
Be apart of our growing team
