Getting to know our team with Jamie-Lee

To break down the stigma surrounding mental health and wellbeing, and to nurture safe spaces for people from all walks of life, the conversation must be led with open hearts and open minds.

For Jamie-Lee, Bamara’s National Cultural and Wellbeing Operations Manager, this message is woven into everything she does. 

Jamie-Lee, a proud Bundjalung woman, grew up on Dharawal Country, the eldest daughter of five kids.

With her father’s side being directly affected by the impacts of the Stolen Generation, she has seen the reality first-hand that many First Nations peoples in Australia experience. 

However, in that same breath, she has experienced the intergenerational strengths passed down from her ancestors, creating a glowing pride for her Aboriginal heritage.  

This passion for culture and her lived experience as a First Nations woman has shaped the lens she applies to her work across mental health and wellbeing initiatives, delivering impactful cultural awareness training, and creating culturally safe spaces for First Nations peoples. 

“I feel a massive responsibility to create culturally safe spaces. I feel like everyone has a calling. I feel very lucky to be able to do the work that I do,” Jamie-Lee said.  

That sense of purpose is woven through every part of her journey.

From a young age, caring for family and community members experiencing mental health challenges was second nature, although it was often something rarely spoken about. 

It wasn’t until later in her career, when she formally stepped into the mental health space, that she realised how widespread these struggles were, and how critical open, culturally grounded conversations are in breaking stigma and strengthening wellbeing. 

In her early experiences as a nurse in an aged care facility, she grew fascinated with the different strategies to address health and wellbeing impacts on residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and their families. 

This inspired her to pursue studies in a Certificate IV in Mental Health, during which she worked at a school for children with disabilities, the experience nurturing an interest in both the clinical and psychosocial aspects of mental health. 

She became particularly passionate about tailoring wrap-around support to the individual and never committing to a one-size-fits-all model to mental health and wellbeing, factoring in that concepts of belonging and support networks look different for everyone. 

“Mental health is always such a unique and individual experience that I think when we’re looking at someone’s health and well-being, we have to treat it as an individual. You could have 10 people lined up with the exact same diagnosis, but they’re all experiencing it differently,” Jamie-Lee said. 

This person-centred approach underpins not just her mental health work, but also the Cultural Awareness Training she delivers through Bamara Training, a program she helped develop alongside Bamara staff, Local Land Councils, Aboriginal Medical Services, and Elders groups.

The training dives deep into the heart and soul of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history, offering practical ways for individuals and organisations to foster stronger, more meaningful relationships.

Each session is tailored to the land on which it’s held, ensuring the teachings resonate locally and can be carried forward anywhere. 

For Jamie-Lee, delivering this training is bigger than herself or the people she’s delivering to; it connects to her broader purpose of creating safe spaces for First Nations peoples, now and for future generations. 

“I’m so connected, not just to mob, but mob in the Dreamtime, and I’m still always guided by them, and I want to make sure that my work always represents that. I see it as part of my purpose and a goal here that I will continue to learn all that I can about my culture so that I can share it. And I’ll continue to do that until I return to the Dreaming as well,” Jamie-Lee said.  

Jamie-Lee is a firm believer that what creates safety and connection for mob ultimately benefits everyone. 

Her role with Bamara allows her to marry her passions for cultural safety and mental health, developing strategies that honour both identity and individuality for staff, participants, and communities.  

Today, 10 October, as we recognise World Mental Health Day, Jamie-Lee reminds us that mental health and wellbeing is never a one-size-fits-all, and she highlights the impact that culture and connection has on shaping wellbeing and fostering meaningful relationships, not only with First Nations peoples, but with everyone from all walks of life.