Volunteer coordinator Bree reaches 10-year milestone 

Bree Manning first joined the Lockyer Valley Mental Health Professionals’ Network to learn more about how she could support the mental health of her exercise physiology patients. Ten years later, she has become one of MHPN’s longest-serving volunteer coordinators. 

Encouraged by a local nurse to join the Lockyer Valley Network – which stretches across a patchwork of 77 rural suburbs and townships in southeast Queensland – Bree later stepped into the coordinator role. Under her leadership, the Network is a closeknit community of local professionals who meet to share skills, provide mutual peer support and gain insights into multidisciplinary and collaborative mental health care.

“We have GPs, psychologists, nurses, health receptionists, school counsellors, dieticians and local council members,” she says.  

“It’s an opportunity to break down silos so we can make sure no one is slipping through the gaps.

“It’s an opportunity to break down silos so we can make sure no one is slipping through the gaps.

“Being rural, the Lockyer Valley has a lot of outreach services so it’s important we know what services arrive and leave and are able to champion the mental health professionals who provide this kind of vital support across our region.”  

Asked why other professionals should consider joining an MHPN Network, Bree says it’s an opportunity to build new knowledge, form cross-disciplinary connections and improve mental health practice.  

“I strongly encourage all healthcare professionals to join an MHPN Network, even if they’re initially uncertain of their alignment or role within a multidisciplinary team.” 

“This diverse mix of expertise and resources is key to improving outcomes for people with different needs, cultural backgrounds and experiences.” 

MHPN congratulates and thanks Bree for her 10 years of service to the Network and the Lockyer Valley community.  

We also celebrate all our volunteer coordinators, whose time, energy and dedication contribute to the success of the National Networks Program. 

The full list of MHPN Networks is available on our website.