Three Podcast Conversations Bringing Identity Before Diagnosis to Life

At T & K Support Services, Identity Before Diagnosis shapes how we see people, build relationships and deliver support. Three recent podcast interviews have given us the opportunity to share what that means through personal stories and conversations about practice.

Our founder, Kym McMinn, and lived experience peer worker, Lachy Hartup, joined Not Another PD and Sarah Knows Support Workers to explore mental health, advocacy, peer support and the experiences that continue to shape our work.

Kym on Not Another PD:

When Systems Lose Sight of the Person -

What happens when diagnosis, risk and processes begin to overshadow the person receiving support?

In Episode 55 of Not Another PD, Kym discusses our Identity Before Diagnosis approach and how it translates into everyday practice. The conversation explores lived experience, peer roles, leadership, staff wellbeing and staying connected to frontline work.

Diagnosis and risk can provide important information. Understanding someone also means knowing their strengths, relationships, culture, interests and aspirations.

For practitioners and leaders, this conversation offers an opportunity to reflect on how services can keep the whole person at the centre of their work.

Listen to Kym on Not Another PD

Kym on Sarah Knows Support Workers:

A Mother’s Perspective -

In A Mother’s Perspective: Mental Health, Advocacy & Hope, Kym shares how her family’s experiences navigating the mental health system helped shape T & K Support Services.

The discussion covers accessing support, the impact on families, listening without judgement and the importance of having people who will stand beside you.

Kym also speaks about mental health education, our Hearing Voices support group and her commitment to seeing people beyond their diagnosis.

It is a personal conversation about the experiences behind our organisation and the values we bring to our work.

Listen to Kym on Sarah Knows Support Workers

Lachy on Sarah Knows Support Workers:

From Lived Experience to Advocacy

In Beyond the Diagnosis: Lachy’s Journey from Lived Experience to Advocacy, Lachy shares his experiences of receiving support, navigating the NDIS and bringing that knowledge into his work in the disability sector.

He discusses the importance of listening, creating safe spaces and respecting each person’s experience. He also explores peer connection through the Hearing Voices group and his passion for using music to connect with others.

The conversation includes his relationship with Prue Anderson, who once supported him as a nurse. Today, they work alongside one another as colleagues, bringing lived experience and clinical knowledge to the same table.

Lachy’s story offers a personal perspective on how relationships and opportunities can help people find their voice and contribute in ways that matter to them.

Listen to Lachy on Sarah Knows Support Workers

Making Space for These Conversations

Thank you to both podcasts for welcoming Kym and Lachy and making space for thoughtful conversations about mental health and disability support.

We hope these episodes encourage listeners to reflect on how they listen, connect and walk alongside others.

Put the kettle on, take some time and have a listen. 💛🖤🌻

Content note: These episodes include discussions of mental distress and experiences within the mental health system. Some include suicide, self-harm, psychiatric hospitalisation, substance use and homelessness. Please check each episode’s notes before listening.