Newsletter
June 2026 - Integrity Initiative News
14 mins
Reading Time
In This Edition
Update from the CEO
Updates from the Army (member spotlight: Avie O’Neill)
New Integrity Army members & volunteer opportunities
Website unofficial launch & branding update
Board appointed
Trail of Creativity update
Integrity PO Box and Pocket Packs
Made By Many recap
Upcoming presentations (TheMHS)
WAPSN Conference
International Association of Youth Mental Health (Dublin)
Leaving Consumers of Mental Health WA (CoMHWA)
Butterfly Foundation funding
Slay Takeaways
NOW AVAILABLE AS A PDF - SEE LINK BELOW!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hyPNoHqFVFLEEaOxdF_e7RqLYD6U_hKP/view?usp=sharing
Rachael’s Update
My goodness me, it has been a month of ups and downs. Filled with reminders of humanity, of learning lessons the hard way, and of also celebrating some wins amongst it all.
We are still awaiting approval with the ACNC, which means that a lot of the work around that is (somewhat) on hold. Most grants will not take applications from unincorporated associations, and whilst we are technically still auspiced, we don’t want to accept a grant under a structure that we will only be for another month or two (hopefully). All that to say, we’re in limbo.
That said, we are as busy as ever. Preparing for upcoming conferences, organising the Trail of Creativity, writing pitches, hundreds of emails, organising the Board, writing, acquittals, strategic planning, meetings, developing yet more policies… the works.
But aside from all those updates, it’s been a month of connection with the wonderful Army and now also our Board. It’s Made By Many in particular was a deeply important milestone, and hopefully the first of many birthday parties for Integrity Initiative.
I hope you enjoy this newsletter, it’s a special one 🫶🏼🦋💕
Updates from the Army
The Integrity Army has been growing both in strength and in power. I am thrilled to introduce a brand new section where you can hear directly from the Army. This month, the wonderful Avie O’Neill has shared:
Hello everyone! We might not have met before but my name is Avie and I am an Integrity Initiative Army member. I first became aware of Integrity Initiative through Rach’s instagram last year, and I wanted to join but I was busy. After my commitments (TAFE) finished I started getting more involved, I remember going to my first Integrity Initiative event, it was called Read for Rights at Northbridge Piazza and as a juvenile bookworm it was a dream, leaving with many books of my choosing. It was hosted by Maeson’s Soapbox and Integrity Initiative. There were books for days and I felt so welcomed in that space.
After going to that event, I started with Integrity Initiative not long after and have been blessed to have met and worked with so many other cool people. We recently hosted Made by Many, an event celebrating our 1st birthday, incorporation, community and the website. It was such an incredible night, leading up to the event I was assigned tech lead. There were many nerves of anxiety about something going wrong, I was worried about many things, however my fears had been mostly dissuaded when the event had started and I knew I had the knowledge to carry it out.
Made by Many was full of joy, hope, community and connection. We had speeches from our amazing army members - Lexi, Sophie and Jessi. We were all introduced to the Integrity Initiative board by board chair, Raff Di Bartolomeo with an incredible off the cuff speech followed by a speech from board member Ryan D’Lima who to my surprise had travelled all the way from Canberra to be at the Made by Many event.
Made by Many is a reflection of all the people, the hard work, the countless hours to make this event & past and future events happen - it’s a testament to community and how collective action brings a shift in this world. It recognises every person who has supported Integrity Initiative in some way, shape or form and recognises the diverse lived and living experiences we hold.
I am looking forward to the exciting upcoming projects, workshops and events we will be hosting and hope to see you all there!
Bye for now,
Avie
Integrity Army and Volunteer Opportunities
I want to welcome the incredible new Integrity Army members we are pleased to have as part of our team: Zoe Diakoloukas (who you may already know from Unfiltered), Sophie Smith, Karina Bailey, and Abbi Innes! We are so pleased to have each one of you here. I am so thrilled for you all to be along for this wild ride 🚴
A reminder - as we grow, Integrity Army and Volunteer team member applications are open continually. The process is getting smoother with each new member, and we are also adapting as our internal systems improve.
Whether you want to Volunteer or join more formally as an Integrity Army Member (higher commitment), the first step is the same - express your interest through this form and we will be in contact with the next steps.
Join the Integrity Initiative Team! – Fill in form
SEE OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS HERE
Website Unofficial Launch
We are thrilled to announce the unofficial launch of our new Integrity Initiative website and updated Integrity Initiative branding - built around human-centred (and authentically imperfect) design, values and a menagerie of experiences, voices, stories and lenses.
We will keep it somewhat low-key until we get the official .org domain (estimating around 2-3 months time), but in the meantime, you loyal newsletter readers are more than welcome to explore as you please.
A massive thank you to Liam Moore, the phenomenal web designer who brought to life an incredible site that now truly feels like home. To anyone looking for an affordable web designer who is easy to work with, endlessly talented, and deeply kind, I cannot recommend Liam enough.
Check out Liam’s business, Doing Moore.
…and without further ado, our new website!
https://integrity-initiative.framer.media/
(keep it low-key for now!)
Branding Update
We’re still continuing to build a more refined brand that feels more genuinely ‘Integrity Initiative’, and whilst I imagine this will be ever-evolving, it’s becoming whole.
You will see more consistent colours - warm, earthy and inspired by natural beauty. You will also see more basic line sketches in all of our slides, resources, media, advertising and even through our newsletters like this one!
The best part? They are all hand-drawn. Not AI-generated. Not stock images. Directly from the desk of our CEO (me!)… and yes, the same is true for the logo, the values icons and all the recurring graphics you see.
Thank you also to Liam Moore for helping through this and assisting the process of us finding said brand identity 🫶🏼
Board Appointed
It is my great honour to share that we have officially recruited and appointed our Board, which (in my completely unbiased opinion) is a pretty phenomenal group of people with such an array of skills and expertise.
Chair:
Raff Di Bartolomeo (he/him)
Principal Consultant, Two Roads Consulting
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raff-di-bartolomeo/
“I have seen throughout my career and life that better things happen for people and communities when they are involved and influence the decisions that impact their lives. The current ways that services and systems support people don’t always hold this at the centre of what they do and I wanted to be part of an organisation (and a movement) that not only advocates for this but that leads the way by showing how it can be done. As chair, I hope to work with Rachael and the II board to realise a vision where people’s experience and strengths are valued and empowered to create a more inclusive and compassionate world. As a board we have a role to provide guidance, support and decision-making that supports II’s values of empowerment, diversity, dignity and justice for all.”
Deputy Chair:
Tianah McBride (she/her)
Mental Health Lead at the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tianah-mcbride-913303135/
“I am mental health practitioner with extensive professional and lived experience in the mental health system. I’m a firm believer in anti-oppressive, trauma informed healthcare. I believe we must work to ensure we adequately acknowledge the value, importance, and expertise of lived experience voices in understanding & informing our approaches to mental health support. I joined the Integrity Initiative Board as I am passionate about ensuring the organisation’s mission and values become better reflected within systemic approaches to mental health care.”
Board members:
Ryan D’Lima (he/him)
Lived Experience Co-ordinator
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-d-lima-maicd-9a209824/
“I bring over a decade of lived experience leadership across Public Mental Health, Primary Health Networks, private hospitals, and justice and forensic settings. My career spans frontline peer support to senior leadership, with a strong focus on embedding lived experience practice, consumer rights, and systemic reform within complex systems. I am currently Peer Manager at Canberra Health Services and a Board Director at Neami National. I previously chaired the Consumer Peer Workforce Committee overseeing the NSW Annual Public Sector Peer Work Forum and contributed to the NSW Peer Work Framework: Elevating Lived Experience Expertise. I hold qualifications in Commerce, Engineering, MBA (Entrepreneurship), and Mental Health Peer Work. I joined Integrity Initiative to strengthen lived experience leadership and governance within dedicated lived experience organisations, particularly supporting dignity and humanity for people in inpatient settings.”
Ashley Maynard (he/him),
Director of Regional Development at RDA Peel.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-m-maynard/
“I joined the Integrity Initiative board because lived experience belongs at the centre of how mental health support is designed, and the governance around that work needs to be as serious as the work itself. On the board I want to help build the structures that let II keep doing what it does well as it grows, without losing what makes it worth doing.”
Mike Fuller (He/him)
Founder of Kamunity Consulting, kamunityconsulting.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikefuller76/
“Joining Integrity Initiative was an easy decision because they’re already leading by example and putting the living/lived experience first. Not just in what they do, but in who and how they do it. My goal on the Integrity Initiative Board is to support Rachael and the Frog Army design and deliver their vision and values, as it grows and transitions to a registered NFP, and beyond.”
Gee Anderson (they/them)
Living Experience Advocate
Instagram: _gee.ha: https://www.instagram.com/_gee.ha?utm_source=qr
Facebook: Gee Anderson
LinkedIn: Gee Anderson: https://au.linkedin.com/in/gee-anderson-80112713b
“I am a Mad, neuro queer, trans non-binary and disabled psychiatric survivor and systems disruptor. I have 10 years experience in Lived Experience advocacy roles across mental health, disability, youth, LGBTIQA+ rights and homelessness. I currently work as a Peer Worker, Peer Supervisor and Living Experience Advocate. I am 1 of 10 inaugural members of the WA Mental Health Commission's Lived Experience Advisory Group and a Board Director at Transfolk WA. My work draws on my Lived Experience Expertise and principles of Disability Justice, Mad Studies and Abolition.”
Grace Sholl (she/her),
Lived Experience Advocate, Educator and Researcher
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-sholl/
“Having a lived experience of attempting suicide, I really connected with the mission of Integrity Initiative, especially the ‘Caring with Integrity’ project that delivers care packages to people experiencing mental health challenges. Autonomy and dignity are nonnegotiable human rights that I hope to help amplify in every part of the community. I hope to help Integrity Initiative to continue their important work through developing partnerships, growing community awareness, and expanding outward.”
Dan McKenna (he/him)
Regional Team Leader - Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djamesmckenna/
“I am a social worker and hold a leadership role in a regional mental health service. My work is driven by a passion to ensure that mental healthcare is accessible for all young people. In my spare time, you'll find me caring for my menagerie of rescue animals, travelling, or playing guitar (albeit poorly!).”
In coming newsletters, this section will be a space for Raff, our Chair, to pass on a Board update. I look forward to seeing what direction this takes.
Trail of Creativity Update
I am very proud to announce the Trail of Creativity, an adapted community arts and wellbeing program funded by the City of Fremantle, and shaped entirely by the community it serves.
What began as the Trail of Integrity has grown into something more. Midway through delivery, we paused, listened, and chose to rework the program rather than continue as planned. The result is a project that will reach an estimated 115 people across Fremantle, more than 2.5 times our original scope, through creative workshops, mailable art packages, and a community gallery launch evening.
I want to take a moment to appreciate the City of Fremantle, who have officially approved the adaptation. In the world of grants, this is deeply meaningful and monumental. It brings me hope - I saw a better way, made a case for change, had it heard, and have now been trusted to run with it.
From the lens of Integrity Initiative, this really feels like practising what we preach when it comes to truly meeting communities where they are at.
We have been working closely with several stakeholders and community networks, who are also excited about this adaptation… “This is awesome to hear! That community preference away from education focused workshops echoes a lot of what I’m hearing as well. I’m very interested to hear more about those workshops. Looking forward to your CMF presentation more than ever now!”
Program highlights:
Introductory workshop at the Cockburn-Melville-Fremantle Community of Practice, offering an adapted 1 hour speed Compassionate Creation session and introducing the project to the sector.
A closed creative workshop with the residents at Ngatti House in Fremantle.
An open community creative workshop at DaRaw Nature (September, date TBC)
Mailable art ‘pocket packages’ available to anyone unable to attend in person (read more below)
Community gallery launch evening, aptly named Where The Trail Leads, at Walyalup Civic Centre, 17 October, 4–6 pm. This will be a community event and gallery. From all pieces sold, 80% of sales returned directly to artists and 20% directed to Integrity Initiative’s ongoing work.
At this event, we would love to have local artists, mental health/ health services, community groups and small businesses come and sell some of their products, distribute information, or just be part of the evening.
Complete the Stallholder EOI here Where The Trail Leads STALLHOLDER EOI – Fill in form
Reach out or share this with someone who might want to be involved. 🤍
Integrity PO Box and Pocket Packs
As part of the Trail of Creativity project, we are delivering mailable artist packages throughout Australia (yup, any state). And don’t worry, the return envelope is included so you don’t have to pay for postage!
WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO SHARE THIS FAR AND WIDE! THE MORE PACKS WE GET, THE MERRIER OUR FROGS WILL BE!
The program will see us deliver approximately 50 creative packages across the nation containing materials for folks to create their very own
Packages are being created very soon, and I’m thrilled to share that you can now request your very own package!
Download your own flyer and spread the word: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r2LjAJga3Zfe3QWSRN1WG_nwDBfKPhqr/view?usp=sharing
Want some additional details?
Cost: Nothing! The packages are completely free
Due Date: the exhibition event is booked for October 17th, which means that ideally we have all packages back with us by the beginning of October to allow us time to photograph and collage a digital library. We recommend sending your return envelopes back before the end of September.
Packages will include: some high-quality artist paper, cardboard pieces for safe transport, an additional prepaid return envelope, a paintbrush, and an iconic Integrity Initiative frog
What’s the benefit for me?
Potential to sell your artwork - 80% of all sales are returned directly to the artist
Contributing to the Trail of Creativity
Opportunity for your work to live on in Integrity Initiative’s digital gallery.
Do I have to live in WA?
No, you can be anywhere within Australia!
What if I want to keep my piece?
That’s okay! You don’t have to part with your piece forever - what happens with it when you’re done is up to you!
Do I have to exhibit or sell?
Nope, it is all completely optional!
What if I’m no good at art?
Honestly, that’s the entire point! Celebration of the messiness, chaos and imperfection that is being human.
You can now express your interest to receive a Pocket Package, which we will start delivering in the next few weeks! Simply complete the EOI here: Trail of Creativity Pocket Pack EOI – Fill in form
Made By Many
On the 12th June, we hosted Integrity Initiative’s four-in-one (website launch, first birthday, celebration of incorporation and Board appointment) Made By Many event.
The evening included speeches from three members of the Integrity Army. Lexington spoke about her experience of eating disorder treatment in adolescence and what recovery has actually looked like for her. Sophie spoke about the value of peer-built community and the exhaustion young people carry into advocacy spaces. Jessi shared her intersectional experience of navigating systems as a disabled, neurodivergent person and what finding genuine community has meant.
I then gave an address about what drove me to build Integrity Initiative. Despite what many think, Integrity Initiative was built from anger (and not just in the past tense). Anger at systems that repeatedly failed people, including myself. It was a pleasure to share how an idea to deliver materials to people in psychiatric wards has now grown into Iso much more - care packages, workshops on lived experience and human rights, and community events.
The board was then formally announced by new chair Raffael Di Bartolomeo, with board members across from a wide array of professions, lived experiences and lenses.
Most excitingly, the entire night was recorded - so you can watch it back at a time that suits you! Link here:
Upcoming Presentations
We are speaking at TheMHS this year! Woo hoo!
I have been successful in two abstracts to speak at TheMHS 2026, which will be taking place in Sydney from August 3rd to 7th.
I would also like to extend my deepest appreciation to TheMHS itself, as I have been awarded a bursary for the conference registration and a travel stipend to support my attendance. The world of conferences is challenging - for someone who doesn’t earn a wage from 90% of the work I do, they are always very inaccessible, especially given that they require taking time OFF work to attend. Without this support, attending would not have been possible.
I will be presenting two speeches - a five minute ignite presentation about the Integrity in Albany regional trip, and a 15 minute oral presentation entitled ‘when hope become a hindrance’, which will discuss the reality that Peer work is so much more than just storytelling and inspiration, and that in this likening of Peer workers to sources of hope lies real danger (more on that soon).
External Projects, Advocacy, and Happenings
WAPSN conference
Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th were the annual WA Peer Supporters Network (WAPSN) Conference, which some of our team were pleased to attend. The two days were packed with learning, reflection and connection.
You can read Rachael’s reflection and digital notes here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rachael-burns-0bab68309_i-walked-into-the-wapsn-wa-peer-supporters-activity-7472618571894910976-SJpc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAE6o8I4BE3ZB8gR3dFNKZlJxNbNBMiyn0iw
International Association of Youth Mental Health
I don’t quite have the words to express the significance of this one… but I’ve been selected as a bursary recipient for the International Association of Youth Mental Health conference in Dublin! Yep - I’m off to Ireland!
I am planning on organising a knowledge share event or webinar following the conference, or alternatively hosting a ‘bring your own powerpoint’ night for people across all sectors of mental health to come along and share their random facts, special interests, and to learn about key findings from the conference.
If there are any organisations interested in partnering on this. please reach out!
Looking forward to making this into something really meaningful, and using it as an opportunity to bring learnings back.
Leaving CoMHWA
After a year and a half working at Consumers of Mental Health WA, I have made the decision to move to a new role. I will be working as a Lived Experience Trainer at Finding North - an exclusive online Mental Health Lived Experience platform and a Mental Health Education website that aims to empower individuals and their families, carers, friends and colleagues by giving them access to reliable, evidence-based information relating to mental health and mental health challenges.
You can see the full article reflection I wrote about leaving CoMHWA here: https://integrityinitiative.substack.com/p/no-advocate-grows-alone?r=5i0ao7
Finding North is an initiative of and proudly supported by Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA), a national policy and advocacy agency that represents mental health organisations that support more than 12,000 people across Australia.
You might recall that I am not new to Finding North - I have been a long-time admirer and contributor to their work for some time now. From my first article ever published to completing the Lived Experience Speakers’ Program, attending Parliamentary Friends of Mental Health in 2025, and speaking at their Perspectives online conference in 2026, to now facilitating similar trainings and beyond.
Whilst it breaks my heart to leave CoMHWA - the place that raised me as a Peer worker and which will ALWAYS be a fundamental part of my professional (and personal) identity, I am beyond excited to join the Finding North team
As for leaving CoMHWA, it has been a wonderful entry into the Peer space that has seen such remarkable learning, growth and testing the boundaries of comfort vs discomfort. I don’t quite have the words to sum up how it has felt and what it truly means… but I will try so anyway. Ans as such, here is a short reflective piece I wrote on my time at CoMHWA, No Advocate Grows Alone
Butterfly Foundation funding
Butterfly Foundation - Australia’s national charity for all people in Australia impacted by eating disorders and body dissatisfaction - has been awarded $2 million by the WA Mental Health Commission to expand eating disorder support across the state.
The initiative has two main components.
A prevention program targeting schools, families, sporting organisations, and educators.
A WA Eating Disorder Hub launching in September, which will centralise referrals and help people navigate to appropriate services.
The funding comes from the Mental Health Commission WA, sitting within the WA Eating Disorders Framework 2025-2030.
I was honoured to be quoted in Butterfly’s media release,
“Living with an eating disorder is a kind of grief that is profoundly misunderstood… The work being undertaken by the Commission and Butterfly is both exciting and long overdue. It signals much-needed change, recognition and commitment in a space that truly needs it. Both myself and the communities I work within are thrilled that our hard-fought advocacy is (finally) not just being heard but also acted upon. My hope is that those leading this work are brave enough to step into discomfort, explore different approaches to those currently falling short, recognise intersectionality, and embed lived and living experience at every stage. Thank you for seeing us”
You can read the full media release here:
Slay Takeaways
The wellbeing of a frog population is indicative of the wellbeing of the ecosystem as a whole. Why? Because of their biphasic lives (meaning that they spend time in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems). Finding a healthy frog population in your local area usually means the surrounding habitat is thriving and unpolluted.
That’s the same here at Integrity Initiative.
Take care froglets,
Rachael and the Integrity Army
Join the Ingetrity Army
Be apart of our growing team
