Meet the team: Annabel Vassallo

It is a common theme; as we highlight the selfless efforts selectability employees in empowering and supporting consumers across our diverse footprint; that we learn why they were prompted to seek a role within the sector.

Townsville service navigator; Annabel; is no exception.

Having worked for selectability for the last 5 and a half years, Annabel’s is the first point of contact consumers looking for service information and resources, and ultimately referrals.

“A large part of my role is overseeing NDIS applications and providing support to gather evidence, submit and provide advocacy throughout the process,” said Annabel.   

“I also work collaboratively with other organisations and services across Townsville and help identify and strengthen referral pathways.”    

For Annabel, above her uniquely caring personality, is an innate passion for mental health and suicide prevention, leading her to a destined career in that field.

“My passion for mental health and fascination with psychology and understanding human behaviour, lead me to enrol in university and graduate with a Bachelor of Psychological Science. 

“As my passion grew, I enrolled in further study and graduated again in 2019 with a Post Graduate Diploma of Psychology, after producing a thesis on psychopathy and morality.” 

During this time, Annabel had started her journey with selectability as a lifestyle support worker, administration officer, and suicide prevention support officer.

“I have been working as service navigator for the Townsville footprint for 12 months now. 

“My love for working in this field has only grown.

“The best part about my role is being the source of hope for so many people that there is help out there and that the current place they are at in their journey is not where their story ends. 

“When people first come into contact with me, they are often broken and without hope. 

“Being able to assist individuals to get back up on their feet and watch them flourish after linking them in with the programs and services they so desperately need is incredibly rewarding. 

“Knowing I played a part in facilitating that connection is incredibly special.”

Each day selectability employees provide unparalleled care to consumers across a range of different services, goals and recovery journeys, all admirably representing the values and mission of selectability.

Etched firmly within that ethos is Annabel, who at her very core is a person of intense passion for her craft.

“I have watched people close to me battle with their own mental health, as well as having my own lived experience. 

“There is a stigma attached to mental health and suicide. 

“I want to wake up in the morning and know that I am actively making a difference in the lives of others, but also making a difference in the way the world views mental health.”