Meet Bailey
Born and raised on the coast of NSW, Baileys journey with mental illness is both challenging and inspiring. Diagnosed with major depressive disorder at 14 years of age and later diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 19 years, Bailey spent her adolescent life navigating the highs and lows of a debilitating mental illness.
Bailey’s mental health journey to wellness and management included hospital admissions, medication trials and severe medical interventions including electric convulsive therapy. Despite battling chronic and unrelenting mental illness challenges she refused to give up her battle for wellness and discovered solace and newfound purpose through long distance walking, which became a key part of her mental health management.
What started as a fleeting idea, gained traction and evolved into a commitment to contribute positively to the mental health space in Australia and the ambitious goal of walking the East Coast of Australia to prove to herself and others that she could create a life worth living alongside a chronic mental illness. Bailey refuses to be “defined as an illness” and vulnerably shares her personal journey, the events leading to diagnosis, treatment and management of her wellness whilst living with bipolar disorder. Walking the East Coast of Australia is no easy feat for anyone, but for someone managing bipolar disorder it was nearly an impossible task.
Her dream was actualised when she commenced and completed the gruelling 14month adventure in 2023 whilst concurrently raising funds for mental health research and resources. Bailey has contributed towards raising awareness and inspired others through connection and offering hope.
Through adaptation and management, she has developed tools for mental health which can benefit many of us, with hiking and connecting with nature being an integral component. Coupled with a strong desire to provide all she can to others, her mission is to advocate and assist with education while encouraging a pragmatic and open attitude surrounding mental health.
Bailey is currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing and Diploma of counselling, Bailey continues to contribute toward creating a mentally healthier world through mental health advocacy work and her newfound passion in public speaking.
“The walk is a metaphor of life with mental illness. It will be tough and long. There will be good days and bad. Uphill battles and downhill slides, with the mentality of just putting one foot in front of the other and taking one day at a time to conquer the bigger goal.”
Book Bailey as a Mental Health Speaker at your event.
Bailey’s story is a powerful example of resilience and advocacy, demonstrating how personal struggles can be transformed into a force for positive change.
Bailey’s journey has fostered her motivation to continue advocacy throughout the mental health space, by engaging in public speaking events. She aims to continue contributing creating greater awareness, tolerance and emotional intelligence by positively impacting others towards a more mentally healthier society.