Our Policy and Advocacy Team welcomes two new staff members – Sasha Ong (Engagement and Advocacy Officer, Lived Experience) and Farina Murray (Policy and Research Officer) – both bringing a wealth of experience and passion for supporting carers and shaping mental health systems.

Sasha Ong – Engagement and Advocacy Officer (Lived Experience) 

“I’ve grown up in the mental health world, with parents that were trained in psychiatric nursing; working in institutions in the 80’s and 90s. It embedded a view that everyone should have the right to be treated with dignity, empathy and respect. I’ve worked in the carer space for over 12 years in roles varying from carer advisory (phone intake), family carer support, education and community development. 

Outside of work hours I’m a mum that loves visually pleasing design, permaculture design principles, growing and using medicinal herbs, being by the water and learning electronics and survival skills. 

I’m excited about working with Arafmi. It is my hope that we can move towards recognising carers as holders of valuable knowledge and history of the people they support. I hope that mental health carers that come after us, have a more inclusive experience navigating our health systems.”

Farina Murray – Policy and Research Officer  

“If we get a chance to chat (and I hope we do), you’d probably learn that I am a mum to three teenage sons who I adore, a passionate sailor, a Latin dancer, a massive nature lover and a huge yoga and Pilates enthusiast. Scratch the surface a little more and you might also learn that a while ago, my family and I had experiences that transformed my path in life.

After more than 15 years in grassroots community development work, social policy research and disability, I changed tack and immersed myself in the mental health and wellbeing space in both my career and my personal life. I worked one-to-one with people and families as a psychosocial recovery coach, raised funds and awareness for mental health charities, dabbled in social enterprise and contributed to systemic change through policy research and advocacy work almost non-stop over five years.

As a parent, my vision for the future is a community where people feel connected, valued and inspired rather than isolated, and young people and their families have hope, support and resilience to navigate the future. So glad to be here at Arafmi!”