G014 | An Hour with Ally Kelly, holding space for courageous conversations...

In this hour Ally shares insights from her personal journey, and messages that she might have given to her younger self and others in her life with the benefit of hind sight. Ally also talks about Mind Blank's innovative approach to Mental Health literacy, Wellbeing promotion and prevention efforts using their innovative forum theatre approach. The work they have done in schools and work places is truly inspiring, have a listen and do share the word.

About the guest:

Ally Kelly is the CEO & Founder of Mind Blank. As a child and teen, Ally served as carer for her suicidal mother. This experience led her to become a mental health advocate and dedicated to social justice. Throughout her career, Ally has worked with marginalised communities, the homeless, those afflicted by substance abuse and individuals needing mental health support. 

A professionally trained singer, Ally married her love of the creative arts with her desire to provide early intervention opportunities to young people, resulting in the establishment of Mind Blank in 2011. 

Mind Blank’s unique approach to teaching prevention and early intervention skills using interactive forum theatre has impacted over 50,000 people across Australia. Ally has won several awards, notably the Mental Health Matters Award for Mental Health Promotion, the Mental Health Services Award for Mental Illness Prevention and the Suicide Prevention Australia LiFE Award for Outstanding Contribution in Queensland.

 Ally has a Bachelor of Creative Arts, Performance, Psychology from University of Wollongong, a Master of Arts, Social Justice, Social Inequality and Humanitarian Affairs from Griffith University and a Higher Degree Research in Program Evaluation, also from Griffith University.

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Transcript

 Finding Hope and Healing: A Conversation with Ally Kelly

Hosted by Dr. Manaan Kar Ray, Protect Suicide Prevention Podcast

Mind Blank: From Overwhelm to Calmness

In this episode, Dr. Manaan Kar Ray speaks with Ally Kelly, CEO and founder of Mind Blank. Ally’s journey began in her childhood when she served as a carer for her mother who often struggled with suicidal distress. This personal experience led her to become an advocate for mental health, particularly focusing on early intervention and resilience-building for young people. But why the name Mind Blank? As Ally explains, "Mind Blank" symbolizes both the overwhelm people experience when faced with mental health challenges and the calm, Zen-like state of a clear mind.

The Power of Early Intervention: Tackling Loneliness and Isolation

Dr. Kar Ray and Ally delve into Australia's alarming loneliness statistics, highlighting the importance of Mind Blank's work in building resilience. Ally shares how loneliness can be particularly pervasive in youth and rural communities, leading to heightened suicide risks. She emphasizes that the key to suicide prevention lies in psychosocial education—equipping communities with the language and skills to navigate mental health.

Ally's Journey: The Role of Empathy in Mental Health

Ally recalls her earliest memory as a carer at just six years old. Her mother, wrapped in darkness and silence, left young Ally feeling helpless. With tears in her eyes, she crawled into bed to comfort her mother. Reflecting on this, Dr. Kar Ray introduces the concept of "empathy in action," which involves cognitive empathy (understanding another’s thoughts), emotional empathy (feeling another’s pain), and empathic concern (the desire to help). Ally shares how, in hindsight, she wishes she had known that it was okay to seek help for herself, and she stresses the importance of letting young carers know they are not alone in their struggles.

Teaching Resilience in Schools: Empowering Conversations Through Forum Theatre

Ally describes Mind Blank's innovative approach using forum theatre in schools. This interactive method tells stories that don’t always have happy endings but offer a space for discussion and reflection. Students are encouraged to explore different choices a character could make, fostering resilience and problem-solving skills. The narratives do not directly address suicide but focus on building foundational skills like peer connection, conflict resolution, and help-seeking strategies.

Transforming the Workplace: Addressing Mental Health for Adults

Beyond schools, Mind Blank also extends its forum theatre model into workplaces. Ally notes how adults are often more resistant to change, despite being aware of the warning signs of mental distress. She emphasizes that just like young people, adults also need skills to navigate mental health challenges in the workplace. Through storytelling and tailored discussions, Mind Blank provides pathways for organizations to address mental health proactively.

Lived Experience and Advocacy: A Personal Reflection

Dr. Kar Ray and Ally discuss how personal experiences shape mental health advocacy. Ally reflects on her own family’s struggles, including her mother's journey through trauma, and how these experiences have informed her approach to building mental health programs. She stresses the importance of having open, supportive conversations, even in the face of stigmas that often surround mental health topics.

The Need for Holistic, Long-Term Strategies

Ally speaks passionately about the importance of holistic mental health strategies. The current system is illness-focused, waiting until someone is sick to intervene. Instead, Ally advocates for long-term community-based approaches, particularly in early education. She shares how Mind Blank works in communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, to build consistent, embedded mental health practices.

The Emerging Arts and Health Space: A Call to Action

Ally’s message to health practitioners is clear: watch the emerging arts and health space. With evidence backing the effectiveness of theatre-based interventions in mental health, Ally calls for investment in wellness-focused models that use arts for prevention. The work being done is not a "one-off" intervention but a long-term commitment to building skills and resilience.

Conclusion: Normalizing Mental Health Conversations

Ally’s final message revolves around normalizing mental health conversations. By using storytelling, humor, and community engagement, Mind Blank breaks down barriers and provides safe spaces for these critical discussions. As Dr. Kar Ray aptly puts it, "Stories evoke emotions and stay with us far longer than mere data." The work being done by Ally and Mind Blank not only inspires but also offers hope for a future where mental health care is proactive, compassionate, and truly holistic.

A Journey of Courage and Consistency

In closing, this episode of the Protect Suicide Prevention Podcast leaves us with a powerful reminder: building a mental health-aware society requires courage, consistency, and a commitment to long-term strategies. Ally Kelly’s work with Mind Blank is a testament to the transformative power of empathy, storytelling, and community-led action.