Matthew Trindall

Clinical Leader Aboriginal Mental Health

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

"I work as the Clinical Leader for Aboriginal mental health and I coordinate aspects of workforce, strategic directions, training and clinical services.  We’ve also been looking at partnerships to improve community engagement, community access points and service delivery.

I’m originally from Narrabri, North West NSW. My community has one of the highest rates of suicide in NSW, due to drought and isolation. I was touched personally by a lot of incidents that happened in the community.  My story is probably similar to a lot of Aboriginal people who work in the mental health space, coming from the lived experience.

It is so rewarding when you see people at their worst and then you see them at their best, and you know the experience you’ve had with them has been able to provide them with a space where they can move on in life.  They don’t forget that. When I return home, if I run into a person I used to provide a support to, they say thanks, or they’ll give me an update on where they’re at, or tell me about their recovery. That reiterates what you’re there for.”