In the past decade, Barbara has been a driving force in national mental health discussions, advising influential bodies like the National Office for Suicide Prevention and Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, as well as major corporations.
She collaborated with the Mental Health Commission and HSE on the Capacity Act and relevant training, lectured at esteemed institutions like Trinity College and Dublin City University. With a decade of experience in mental health policy & procedures, Barbara guides corporations of all sizes to enhance their employees' mental well-being, earning recognition as an expert in both mental health and corporate sectors.
As the leader of 'See Change', Ireland’s national stigma reduction programme, Barbara championed the iconic Green Ribbon campaign, and impacted the global stage through her involvement in the Global Anti-Stigma Alliance.
A respected trainer and facilitator, Barbara, a thought leader in her field, has spent over 14 years transforming the culture of mental health across society. Rooted in her personal journey of recovery from severe mental illness, Barbara's work is a beacon of hope, emphasising that individuals struggling with their mental health can and do recover.
Join Barbara on her transformative journey as she shapes a brighter future for mental health advocacy and societal change.
SPECIALIST SUBJECTS
• Mental Health and Mental Illness: normalising the topic and reducing negative perceptions and barriers to accessing support. Barbara breaks down the difference between mental health and mental illness, with easy-to-understand information around:
• Stigma: Public & self-stigma (stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination and unconscious bias). Barbara has advised The National Office for Suicide Prevention, mental health charities and the Mental Health Commission in relation to language for mental health and has written national awareness & information guides.
• Discrimination: Impact of discrimination on people experiencing mental health difficulties, or from minority groups.
• Unconscious Bias: What it is and how it impacts our daily lives, and how it adds an additional impact on those experiencing mental health issues.
• Recovery: practical tools on a journey of recovery for people who have experienced mental illness or mental health difficulties, given from both personal recovery and professionally working in the area of mental health for a decade and a half.
• Wellbeing: Practical tips & tools for maintaining wellbeing, even through challenging times
• Workplace Wellbeing & Strategy: Mental Health Policy, Reasonable Accommodation, Annual Objectives and implementation. Barbara has supported workplaces across Ireland for over a decade and is recognised by bodies like Ibec as an expert in the area.
• Personal story: Barbara can speak to being a suicide survivor, bipolar disorder 1, eating disorder, self-harm, chronic pain conditions (fibromyalgia & arthritis) and long-term illness.
Barbara weaves part of her story into her presentations, bringing the right level of professionalism and storytelling to the groups she speaks to. She makes the topics easy to understand and identify with, while tying the objectives back to actionable change.