Mental Health Peer Advocate

Having lived with mental illness for 28 years, lived on the streets, and lived at one time with a dual diagnosis, Andrew Kellett knows the challenges, the issues and the stigma related to mental illness.

He has also been the recipient of much care and support through the system of mental health services and having experienced recovery, knows the potential of individuals like himself who live with this illness, to achieve wellness.

This lived experience serves him and those he represents well in his role as Fraser Health’s Mental Health Peer Advocate.

The 2007 – 2012 Mental Health and Addictions Strategic Plan Transforming Care Together outlines Fraser Health’s commitment to creating meaningful roles for consumers including providing advocacy and outreach, enhancing consumer involvement in service planning, implementation and evaluation and strengthening Community Advisory Committee networks. The creation of the Mental Health Peer Advocate position represents an important and exciting step forward in this commitment.

An active voice

Andrew has been actively involved for many years in contributing to the improvement of mental health services and providing a voice for mental health consumers through his participation in various initiatives and committees such as:

• Minister of Health Advisory Committee on Mental Health
• Consumer and Family Involvement Best Practices Committee
• Community Mental Health Advisories
• Fraser Health Consumer and Family Development
• The Public Guardian and Trustee Committee
• Mental Health and Addictions Accreditation Teams

Now, as the Mental Health Peer Advocate, Andrew is focusing on systemic advocacy: identifying issues, gaps, and opportunities to improve services across the continuum.

And like the definitions of advocate, Kellett is a supporter, promoter, believer and champion of individuals living with mental health, and of the valuable services that provide care and support, and assistance in achieving optimal quality of life.

To contact Andrew, call 604-613-0579 or email FH_MHAdvocate@shaw.ca.