Jen Hawley’s lifelong love of music began at 16, playing in an all-girls heavy metal band with her best friend. These days, Jen plays gigs with her gypsy cabaret band, The Royal High Jinx, has a Wednesday-night residency at Claypots in South Melbourne and performs around Victoria and across Melbourne. She also shares her passion by teaching music to others.

Back into the swing of things

After the events of the last few years, including the ongoing presence of COVID-19 and other personal challenges, Jen was increasingly concerned around her work in the industry she loves – so she reached out for support.

“I was feeling a lot of stress of anxiety about returning to my busy, intense and multifaceted life, and the demands that go with it. I was worried that I’d be able to cope and still deliver in the same way, without being stressed.”

Jen connected with Bree, a mental health clinician and consultant placed with Music Victoria through Partners in Wellbeing to support small business wellbeing with free, confidential mental health support services.

The power of support

“I found Bree amazing to work with. She really helped me to turn around what I was feeling, and I continued to see her. I always come away from the sessions feeling better than I go in.”

“She was able to draw out my issues, my stress points – but also in the session she was like a balm for me – to help soothe how I was feeling.”

“The strategies for helping me to see what's underlying the stress or what's motivating me to behave in certain ways were very helpful. She's really helped me to forge my way ahead and have confidence in what I'm doing.”

Asked what she’d say to others thinking about reaching out for support, Jen points to her own experience: “It’s not a threatening process, and you don't have to talk about anything you don't want to talk about.”

“It’s got me over that hump of getting me back to work. When I first approached Bree at the beginning of the year, I couldn't see that I would be where I am right now.”

Keep the music coming

It’s fair to say that Jen has exciting projects coming up. In addition to music and teaching, Jen is also coordinating a young musicians project for her local Shire.

“I've got this great big two-month project of creating a youth-led event and teaching all the young people, not only had to choose their songs and perform, but also go through all the different aspects of putting an event on.”

Jen’s also set aside time to work on a new project – establishing herself as a wedding DJ, generating income to help her focus on her musical passions.

“I love to practice my music, write music, record and create new projects. It's been on the backburner for four or five years, but the time has come!”