Five Mental Health First Aid course participants (men and women) sit on chairs and steps in a theatre, workshopping and writing as part of a course activity.

Meet the Mental Strides Team

We’re a small team of talented professionals with a wide range of skills and experience, which means mental health training can be tailored for you.

If you’re looking to enjoy the benefits of creating a mentally healthy workplace, such as attracting and keeping staff, getting the best out of your team, and creating a more positive and productive work environment, we’d love to help.

Mental Health Consultant Engel Prendergast smiles warmly at the camera. Engel wears tortoise shell glasses, red and gold earing, a white floral scarf and a peach shirt.

Engel Prendergast, Mental Health Consultant

Engel is an accredited Mental Health First Aid and safeTALK Instructor, and a Lifeline Crisis Supporter and Mentor.

Engel has more than 20 years of experience working with local governments, communities, and organisations to build their capacity in achieving common goals. Her extensive experience in training and facilitation ensures that she is able to provide an environment that fosters learning and ownership.

Engel is our Mental Health Consultant working with organisations and groups to build a culture that supports good mental health and has delivered training both locally and in India. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Health Promotion), Diploma of Counselling, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Engel is currently undertaking an Advanced Diploma of Ayurveda.

Contact Engel to discuss training opportunities for your workplace.

Copywriter and Communications Consultant Kylie O'Driscoll tilts her hear to the right while smiling at the camera. Kylie is wearing rounds gold earrings, and a cream and brown floral top.

Kylie O’Driscoll, Copywriter and Communications Consultant – Communication Strides

Bringing twenty-years of communications and public relations experience, Kylie works with us to meet our communications needs.

Kylie developed our website, creates content for and manages our Facebook and LinkedIn pages, develops our publications and promotional materials, and assists with business development. She also helped develop our branding when we first grew wings.

If you require assistance with your business communications, contact Kylie on 0412 030 001, email kylie@communicationstrides.com.au or visit www.communicationstrides.com.au.

Mahaveer smiles warmly at the camera, with a foggy, green forest mountain range in the background. Mahaveer wears black glasses, a short, dark beard and a grey t-shirt.

Mahaveer Singh Rathore, Cultural Advisor and Logistics Manager (India)

For more than 20 years Mahaveer has been working with International visitors to help them gain a greater understanding of the rich and varied Indian culture.

Mahaveer has a wide knowledge and love of the diversity of India and a passion to share this with others.

As our Culture Advisor, Mahaveer provides cultural support and manages logistics in India.

Cathy is at the beach - smiling at the camera, wearing a big straw hat, oversized, gold sunglasses, and a violet hooded jumper.

Catherine (Cathy) Darling, Community Support

Cathy is a Registered Nurse and an accredited Mental Health First Aider. With more than 30 years in the health industry, as a nurse and a community educator, Cathy has a deep understanding of mental health issues experienced in the community.

Cathy is our Community Support assisting in training delivery, providing emotional support for training participants. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Nursing and is currently undertaking training in Healing Touch, through the Australian Foundation of Healing Touch in affiliation with Healing Beyond Borders.

Cliff smiles at the camera, wearing a blue and white button-up shirt. He is standing in front of a white panelled wall with a dark red door bell over his right shoulder.

Cliff Simpson, Grant Funding Consultant – Red Kamel Consulting

With a diverse career spanning environmental art, carpentry, youth work, vocational rehabilitation, and project development, and more than 30 years working within the community sector in Western Australia, Cliff is adept at engaging with community groups (e.g. service clubs, men’s sheds, seniors’ clubs, and sporting groups) to achieve positive funding results.

Cliff works closely with community groups in the co-design of their projects, clarifying goals, identifying funding sources, building capacity in groups, and translating the story of the group into a compelling, convincing grant application with an action plan.

If you require assistance with applications to fund your group’s activities, contact Cliff on 0408 502 895.

“Engel kept everyone engaged with the course and you could see how knowledgeable she is in the field of mental health”.

— Mental Health First Aid Course participant (anonymous course feedback), July 2021