Michaela Meade
Sunshine’s Jasper Zeven had battled mental illness for much of his life, struggling to find stable employment.
But he credits his studies at Kangan Institute, where he completed a diploma of community services, with empowering him to help others with their mental health recovery journey.
Mr Zeven is currently working as a peer support worker at Neami National, and was named Kangan Institute’s Community Services Gold Medallion and overall 2021 Student of the Year.
Mr Zeven said his journey to recovery and employment was initially defined by hardship and challenges.
“I’m a member of the LGBTQI community and I’ve undergone gender transition, which was quite a battle for myself facing different stigmas and hardships,” he said.
“I’ve challenged and battled through mental illness growing up, having relapsed and struggled through various points in my life.
“Having lived in over 30 houses in my lifetime so far and 10 different schools growing up has been quite a challenge within itself.”
Mr Zeven had struggled with finding stable and long term employment for over a decade, and then found a turning point, undertaking the free TAFE initiative at Kangan Institute and graduating early 2021.
“I heard of the free TAFE course initiative and saw that Kangan Institute was offering the Diploma of Community Services,” he said.
“Studying a diploma of community services would help to give me hope and purpose in life, and to make a difference and improve the life of others.
“The teachers have been fantastic, insightful and supportive. Within the class we developed our own sense of community which made each day in class bright and positive.
“My studies have allowed me to self-reflect, to see my potential and see the differences I can make.
“Kangan has taught me so much about the professional field, what to expect and how to embrace it, alongside so many personal life skills I utilise in my daily life.”
Details: www.kangan.edu.au/tafe-courses/diploma-of-community-services-3079
