Summary
Articles
Leadership Engagements
Work History
Skills
Education
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
BusinessDevelopmentManager
ISHA GARG

ISHA GARG

Roxburgh Park,VIC

Summary

Isha is an enthusiastic and keen learner who is passionate about creating a meaningful change in the Australian Mental Health Industry. She has recently made a life changing decision to pursue a career in the Mental Health Lived Experience space; a decision informed by her own journey of coping and recovering from complex trauma, depression and anxiety since her childhood. In addition to her lived experience, Isha's strategic project work is informed by her cross-cultural communication and innovative problem-solving skills, along with her knowledge in human resources. Skills that she has primarily acquired while designing and delivering various engagement and employability programs for individuals facing mental health challenges or seeking crisis support in Australia.

Articles

I constantly publish articles based on my personal career reflections and learnings on LinkedIn. These can be accessed from my LinkedIn Profile through this link www.linkedin.com/in/isha-garg-hr

  • Mastering Peer Support: The Art of Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning
  • From Novice to Navigator: A Personal Journey of Growth
  • Strength in Vulnerability: A Personal Tale of Transformation
  • Studying Abroad: Escaping the Perils of Pessimism through Positive Psychology

Leadership Engagements

National Suicide Prevention Office - Lived Experience Partnership Group (Dec 2022 - Current)

As a Lived Experience Consumer of the Mental Health Services in Victoria, I draw on my expertise acquired by my personal experiences of distress to provide guidance and inform the work of NSPO.

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Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council - Consumer Register Active Participant (Aug 2022 - Current)

As an individual with Lived and Living Experience of mental ill health, I advise and consult with the Department of Health and other community stakeholders to help develop the Mental Health systems and policy in Victoria.

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Mental Health and Wellbeing Division, Department of Health - Diverse Communities Working Group (Oct 2022 - Mar 2024)

As a Member of Working Group, I engaged in monthly roundtables to contribute and establish key principles for the development of a Diverse Communities’ Mental Health & Wellbeing Framework and Blueprint for Action.

Work History

Mental Health Peer Educator (Lived Experience)

St. Vincent Health Australia
Melbourne, VIC
10.2022 - Current
  • Offering personalised vocational peer support to nurture self-esteem, workplace readiness, and employability skills among individuals recovering from chronic mental health challenges.
  • Facilitating co-design workshops to integrate consumer perspectives and enhance the PARC Community Program (PCP) services.
  • Creating and implementing professional development initiatives for program participants, fostering their growth and skills development.
  • Conducting comprehensive reviews and evaluations of the PCP to drive informed program enhancements.
  • Designing and delivering in-service presentations to advocate for the PCP and its benefits.
  • Running the PCP community groups to ensure their effectiveness and relevance.
  • Developing community initiatives that bolster consumer engagement and recovery, guided by the Strengths Model of Care.

Human Resources Officer

EACH
Melbourne, VIC
09.2020 - 05.2021
  • Collaborated with Business Partners to spearhead the implementation of the volunteer management system at EACH.
  • Led and managed staff training projects launched in 2021 in liaison with Red Cross Australia.
  • Maintained and updated position descriptions to align with the organisation and industry trends.
  • Reviewed and recorded staff harassment allegations and work complaints for board review meetings.

Peer Programs, HR Support Officer

University of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
08.2019 - 03.2020
  • Led the design, development, and launch of a University-wide Mentoring Program catering to over 10,000 students.
  • Contributed to the design and implementation of an effective recruitment and training strategy for the Melbourne Peer Mentor Program, under the Student Life initiative.
  • Facilitated 50+ Group Assessment Centres for a variety of campus roles.
  • Offered extensive technical support on using systems like Qualtrics and Canvas LMS to recruit and train Mentors, enhancing program efficiency.
  • Provided guidance and support in transitioning the Peer Leader Network delivery of career workshops to a virtual model during the COVID-19 period.

Communications and Events Assistant

University of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
02.2018 - 08.2019
  • Participated in face-to-face marketing and promotional activities during events such as Orientation Week (O-Week), Clubs day and the Festival of Nations.
  • Greeted and engaged with students, visitors and other stakeholders during all UMSU events on Campus.

HR Administrator

University of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
04.2018 - 12.2018
  • Ensured end to end recruitment for academic, professional and honorary staff members.
  • Created data reports and provided recommendations on strategies for enhanced inclusion and diversity.
  • Conducted face-to-face individual and small group training sessions for academic and professional staff.

Academic Tutor

University of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
02.2018 - 11.2018
  • Delivered tutorials for the Marketing cohort, and designed content that encouraged students to learn through applying marketing theories to actual business cases
  • Facilitated cross-cultural engagement amongst students through utilisation of interactive tools, quizzes and virtual team games.
  • Provided guidance to students on how to approach problem solving strategies.
  • Collaborated with faculty members to develop appropriate learning objectives for each tutoring session.

Skills

  • Technical Aptitude and Proficiency
  • Program Development
  • Individualised Care and Support Planning
  • Group And Individual Career Coaching
  • Attention to Detail
  • Milestone Monitoring

Education

Mental Health Mentoring And Coaching -

Victorian Healthcare Association
Melbourne, VIC
03-2024

Growing Resilience Program -

GROW Mental Wellbeing Programs
Melbourne, VIC
11.2021

Getting started in the Community Services Sector -

Department of Education And Training
Melbourne, VIC
09-2020

Master of Management (Human Resources) -

University of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
12.2019

Bachelor of Business Administration (Entrepreneurship and HR) -

Symbiosis International University
Pune, India
06.2017

Hobbies and Interests

  • Swimming
  • Public Speaking
  • Creative Writing
  • Arts, Craft and Music

Timeline

Mental Health Peer Educator (Lived Experience)

St. Vincent Health Australia
10.2022 - Current

Human Resources Officer

EACH
09.2020 - 05.2021

Peer Programs, HR Support Officer

University of Melbourne
08.2019 - 03.2020

HR Administrator

University of Melbourne
04.2018 - 12.2018

Communications and Events Assistant

University of Melbourne
02.2018 - 08.2019

Academic Tutor

University of Melbourne
02.2018 - 11.2018

Mental Health Mentoring And Coaching -

Victorian Healthcare Association

Growing Resilience Program -

GROW Mental Wellbeing Programs

Getting started in the Community Services Sector -

Department of Education And Training

Master of Management (Human Resources) -

University of Melbourne

Bachelor of Business Administration (Entrepreneurship and HR) -

Symbiosis International University
ISHA GARG