Mental health advocate has her dedication recognised with Pride of Australia medal

DESPITE  losing a friend to cancer and receiving news her father has lung cancer this year, Kylie Smith’s dedication to helping women with their own mental health journey has seen her be recognised with a Pride of Australia medal.

Quakers Hill founder of Embracing Arms Kylie Smith with her Pride of Australia medal at the Royal Automobile Club of NSW in Sydney on Thursday.

DESPITE  losing a friend to cancer and receiving news her father has lung cancer this year, Kylie Smith’s dedication to helping women with their own mental health journey has seen her be recognised with a Pride of Australia medal.

“When I first received the call I broke down in tears and could not believe I was selected for such an amazing award,” Mrs Smith said.

“To have received this medal in front of the three most important people in my life – my husband and sons – is a moment I will cherish forever.

“I think receiving such a publicly recognised, highly regarded award, will definitely help Embracing Arms get its name out there.’’

Pride of Australia medalists (Kylie Smith bottom R) during the special ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club of NSW in Sydney last week

She hopes it will get more women talking and reaching out to seek support.

“One of the highlights for me was meeting Buddy Franklin and his wife and thanking him for playing a positive role in speaking out about mental illness,” she said.

“No one truly knows just how hard that journey is unless you have walked the same path.

“I am so lucky to have so many people behind me that never gave up on me, even when I gave up on myself. This medal is for each of them.”

“One of the highlights for me was meeting Buddy Franklin and his wife (Jesinta) and thanking him for playing a positive role in speaking out about mental illness,” Mrs Smith said.

The Quakers Hill mother of two founded Embracing Arms, a support group for women experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, in 2014 as a Facebook group.

Having suffered post-traumatic stress and post-natal depression, she came across an article about Charlotte Dawson and her struggle with mental illness.

“Following that I felt it would be a good idea to set up a support group for women who suffer from depression and anxiety,” she said.

A year later she turned the Facebook group and coffee shop meetings into a not-for-profit-organisation.

Embracing Arms aims to show people suffering they are not alone.

“We now have more than 1400 followers on facebook, more than 510 members in our online support group and have recently joined Twitter and have high profile personalities who advocate for mental health following us including Mel Greig, Marcia Hines and Andrew Morley,’’ she said.

As Embracing Arms is a not-for-profit organisation, it is constantly seeking help covering costs.

If you are able to help email [e-mail] or go online to embracingarms.com.au.

For more about Pride of Australia medal recipients, go to the Rouse Hill Times Facebook page