top of page

QLD CHAMPION

Karen Tyrrell Profile 1 (2).jpg

Karen Tyrrell (she/her)

LIVED EXPERIENCE
Mental Health (Consumer & Carer)

KEY INFORMATION

Place of Birth: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Current location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Age: 55 years +
Language/s: English only
LGBTQIA+: No
NDIS Participant: No
Diagnoses: Mental health illness, PTSD, Anxiety
Healthcare Access: Primary Health Care, Allied Health, Mental Health, Secondary and Tertiary care

AWARDS, AMBASSADORSHIPS & EXPERIENCE

BIO

Karen Tyrrell is a Brisbane award-winning mental health and child empowerment author, key-note speaker, experienced teacher and workshop presenter. She’s a survivor of bullying, PTSD and mental illness. Karen won the Jude Bugeja Mental Health Achievement award. Karen delivers thought-provoking talks to mental health organizations, schools, conferences, hospitals, festivals and in the
corporate workplace. Her husband, Steve is available to supplement her talks from the carer’s perspective.

Queensland Health contracted Karen to develop and present a series of Life Writing Workshops for mental health consumers. Telstra requested her to present the Resilience Training workshop to the corporate workplace. Karen spoke on a Channel 7 News program, ABC radio, 4BC radio and international radio, sharing HOPE and empowerment. Karen published 14 books including 'Me and Him: A Guide to Recovery' and 'Bailey Beats the Blah'.

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Winner of Jude Bugeja Mental Health Achievement Award Queensland

  • Speaker Channel 7 News, ABC radio and 4BC radio on mental health and bullying.

  • Created Queensland Health Writing Program for Mental Health consumers.

  • Speaker on child empowerment, bully prevention and self-care at schools with Steve Tyrrell (husband)

  • Shortlisted for Children’s Book of the Year (Speech Pathology)

  • Recipient of #7 Literary Grants including #2 Arts Queensland Grants

  • Australia Reads Ambassador

  • Mentorship with Society of Editors Queensland

  • Key Note Speaker at Western Sydney Teacher Conference

  • 2022 Writer in Residence West QLD Schools for 10 days with Steve Tyrrell

  • Resilience Speaker at Ipswich Libraries & CPA Conference

  • Key Note speaker Carers Week with Steve Tyrrell Brisbane Convention Centre

  • Workshop presenter for Brisbane City Libraries touring 6 libraries with Steve Tyrrell

  • Senior Teacher at Education QLD, Year level co-ordinator, science co-ordinator.

  • Presenter at Queensland Writers Centre: Author Branding seminar

  • Grant Writing Presenter at Moreton Libraries, Logan Art Gallery & Write Links

  • Creator & Presenter of Logan Writers Festival

  • Speaker CYA Conference - My Success Story

  • Presenter at Gold Coast Writers Festival & Toowoomba Writers Festival

  • Presenter at Sunshine Coast International
    Readers and Writers Festival with Steve Tyrrell

  • Presenter at Moreton Bay Writers Festival with Steve Tyrrell

  • Workshop Presenter at CapriCON Festival with Steve Tyrrell

  • Freelance Writer for magazines including Healthline and South City Bulletin

  • Guest Speaker at the A.B. Paterson College, Islam College with Steve Tyrrell

  • Presenter at Belmont State School Writers Festival for 5 full-days with Steve Tyrrell

  • Judge at the Forevability Book Awards

  • Books in Homes Role Model

LINKS

TESTIMONIALS

“Me & HIM: A Guide to Recovery is a practical framework of experience wrapped around an inspirational story of struggle and success.”

– Richard Nelson, CEO of Queensland Alliance of Mental Health

​

“Karen bravely discloses her journey of recovery from the highs of mania and the despair of psychosis. She shares her insight about wellness and lifestyle skills that will help others suffering
from episodes of mental illness as well as their carers. Karen’s book describes the important role of her husband, Steve, as her carer and supporter and includes his perspective and influence not only on her recovery but also on maintaining her mental health stability following her recovery. We can all benefit from Karen’s insights into the wellness skills that promote good mental health.”

– Terry Kirkpatrick, manager of Mental Health Association NSW

​

“Karen Tyrrell is a talented and successful author. She is dedicated to the cause of spreading the word about achieving and maintaining good mental health. She speaks from personal experience in a down-to-earth manner which is practical, well presented, thoughtful, and contains many ideas of how to deal with this condition from the respective of an every-day person. Her presentations in personal workshops are lively and entertaining and hold the interest of the audience.“

– Dr Judith O’Malley –Ford, Brisbane.

​

“Karen shared her story so openly and honestly. The audience were very moved and connected with her message. Karen definitely had a positive impact, was authentic and let her passion shine.”

– Jane Leach, Founder Life 2 Project

​

“Inspiring, engaging and relevant! Sensational author, Karen Tyrrell, visited Fairvale PS to talk to the students. A truly remarkable author and teacher who continues to touch the lives of the very young
and the not so young.”

–Anthony Pitt, Principal, Fairvale PS

bottom of page