SEWB Gathering 3 | Michael Mitchell (TIMHWB)

Michael is a Yamatji man of Nyamal and Malgana descent. His country extends from the Pilbara to Shark Bay in Western Australia. The health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people is uppermost in Michael’s mind and he has been proactive throughout his career in achieving and advocating for Mental Wellbeing in his community.
Michael started his working life by completing an electrical apprenticeship, and then went on to play professional Australian Rules Football for Claremont and Richmond, where he was awarded Goal and Mark of the year (1990), and was named one of the Richmond Ten Tiger Treasures of the century by winning Goal of the Century (2020). After pursuing a football career, he realised that he wanted to contribute more to his Aboriginal Community. Michael began his career in Indigenous Health and Wellbeing by working with Aboriginal Youth in his hometown, Carnarvon. Michael developed a training program for youth that equipped them with skills to access employment within the fishing industry of Carnarvon and Shark Bay.
For several years, Michael managed and coordinated Aboriginal Community Controlled Services including Carnarvon Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation (CMSAC), Carnarvon Community Development Employment Program (CDEP), and the Central West Aboriginal Mental Health Program. During this time, Michael was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Indigenous Health, specialising in Mental Health from Curtin University. For 15 years, Michael was the Service Manager of Wungen Kartup Program (an Aboriginal mental health program), and during his tenure there was never a suicide of a client under their care.
Michael is a current member of the West Australian Football Development Commission Aboriginal Advisory Committee, and because of his achievements in sport and health Michael commands much respect in many sectors of the Aboriginal and wider community. In November 2019, Michael formed Michael C Mitchell Consultancy and has recently decided to devote his time to this venture fulltime. This has afforded him the ability to work with a much broader section of the community with a focus of mental wellbeing.