Testimonials

James delivers a well thought out presentation which allows students to question whether their current lifestyle habits are conducive for positive mental health. He then provides easy and effective steps to make lifestyle changes, backed up with evidence and justification. James is different to other presenters due to his authentic and enthusiastic approach and the feedback from my students proved it was very effective at creating positive change. I highly recommend James speak to your students and I will certainly follow up on his strategies with my cohort into the future.

Nick Dutton - Head of Year 11

Hey man, I was at a school you visited a couple of weeks ago and I can honestly say that my mental health has become so much better. I’ve started a diet, exercise and even better sleep (Except tonight because I just finished work late haha)! Just wanna say thank you so much and I’ve taken everything you’ve said to heart. You’ve helped out a bunch!

Zac - Student

I just wanna say you came to Rivermount last year and gave the same talk to my grade and it really impacted me and got me out of a hard place in my life, I felt super motivated after the talk and started doing yoga as my daily exercise and that simple routine completely changed my life. So thanks for the talk last year, because it made an impact and helped me feel a lot better mentally.

Em - Student

Hi James, your presentation is really engaging and I really like your presenting style. I found what you said is really important and helpful and I hope one day everyone will know this information, because I think it will improve all people’s lives.

Allie - Student at Coomera Anglican College

Very passionate speaker, very keen to engage the students in the presentation. Messages make sense and are simple to follow, easy to get on board and ‘make the change’. James was very happy to stay at the end and chat with students + staff. Very invested in his message to help empower students. So approachable and lots of humour. Thank you so much, super valuable, looking forward to the next presentation.

Joanne Hopkins - Year 11 Coordinator at Rivermount College

James is such a dynamic and engaging speaker. The programs of “choices” and “habits” are so important for students to participate in and you can see how influential they are on the students deciding to look after themselves, particularly their mental health.

Debra Philip - Study Skills Coordinator at Palm Beach Currumbin SHS

"James provides a safe and engaging environment for students to broaden their understanding of mental health and the steps they can take to improve the mental health of those around them and themselves.”

Alisha Caddies - Grade 10 Dean

Awesome presentation. Students engaged. Interactive. Practical advice.

Cathy Sparks - Year 11 HOY

*James delivered an energetic and engaging presentation that offered some real and actionable strategies for boosting well-being immediately. His talk was informative, while still being entertaining, and he held the full attention of the Year 11 students who all took something meaningful and tangible away from the presentation. We look forward to hosting him again.*

Patrick George - Grade 11 Coordinator

Thankyou so much for speaking with us and our students. What you shared was invaluable and I know was appreciated by staff and students alike. May the Lord bless you in your work and may you continue to impact the lives of those around you. Very appreciative of your wisdom and vulnerability with us all.

Inge Klitscher - Learning Support Teacher at Hillcrest Christian College

James speaks to the heart of the students, with amazing, helpful tips. In this crazy world at the moment, it is a very timely presentation, not just for the students, but staff also.

Steph Thrum - Teacher at Windaroo Valley SHS

I found this program to be very useful. I really needed some of these tips to improve my life. I think programs like this need to be shown more in schools, because more of us are struggling than people think. Thank you.

Charlee Blade - Student at Windaroo Valley SHS

This program was very useful. I have always struggled with mental health so learning methods to help relieve the stress is something I truely appreciate! Thank you very much!

Student - Coomera Anglican College

Because it shows different ways to improve and not just like other were they tell you to study harder and do better. You give good advice to help improve yourself.

Oscar - Student at Windaroo Valley SHS

This presentation was very engaging and had good humour. It taught me that mental health issues are real and its not weak to speak.

Blake - Student at Windaroo Valley SHS

I think this was really helpful because it was engaging (we had time to communicate our ideas), it was relatable (it focussed on ideas that affect our everyday lives). Someone was talking to us rather than at us and instead of being told what we were doing wrong, we were told what we could do better. Good job :)

Marie Ogolo - Student at Coomera Anglican College

I find this program was helpful to not just me but other, it is definitely worth listening and taking in the information.

Christian Papa - Student at Coomera Anglican College

I found this program very beneficial and informative. I have learnt many ways how I can improve my life and take responsibility. Thank you.

Jasmine - Student at Coomera Anglican College

This is a great program, I took heaps away and have implemented a lot in my life. I would love to see a more personal program. You have so much knowledge, but I’m not sure why being a charity, doesn’t feel as personal.

Wade Robertson - Student at Coomera Anglican College

I think this program will help a lot of teenagers, personally this made me want to start and make some changes in a positive way. James your presentation is really engaging and I really like how you present it.

France Lee - Student at Coomera Anglican College

I thought he brought up personal topics which students can relate to. He gave attainable advice which students might actually do.

Scarlett - Student at Coomera Anglican College

I like that the program is chill and not as strict as the other programs and James knows how to talk to kids but also how to be serious.

Mae - Student at Coomera Anglican College

James’ presentation was engaging, informative and had the students hanging on every word. The students walked away with some great tools and we look forward to having him back.

Steph Sudmalis - Leadership Coordinator at Beenleigh SHS

James’ presentation was brilliant. He was engaging, funny and had genuine advice to give. You can tell it came from the heart. He has given us tools that can be easily implemented in not only our lives but to help others who may be stuck as well. Thank you! Definitely a practical program. Highly recommend.

Alexandra - Student at St Aidan’s

A highly informative and practical program that would enhance ones mental well being. Great delivery and steps to healthy living that are doable.

Diana Cameron - Teacher at St Aidan’s

Very engaging and applicable to daily life which makes the presentation more beneficial to people who want to implement positive changes. Like the practical approach rather than just drawing awareness to mental health.

Jade - Student at St Aidan’s

This program was entertaining and informative. The content was engaging and it was overall great.

Lauren - Student at St Aidan’s

The lifestyle choices are helpful things I have heard in my life from professionals and others who suffered from mental illness. I really liked the emphasis on the personal responsibility of your life, as this kind of realisation makes you start to live for yourself and your happiness. With your public speaking, maybe limit the repetitive rhetorical question and instead use statements that flow that topic to the next one. All together, it was a great program!

Emerson Sharp - Student at St Aidan’s

The daily choices are very simple yet have a major impact. It’s also very beneficial to learn about prevention, as well as awareness.

Rachael - Student at St Aidan’s

Really helpful and I like how we get merch. Easy to remember choices which I can share with friends and family.

Ruby - Student at St Aidan’s

I had found that the section on making small changes that you could still do in your laziest moments was useful. Also the section on taking responsibility and letting go of the things you can’t control. Thankyou so much for coming! I truely appreciate it.

Olivia Allison - Student at St Aidan’s

Really engaging and informative - lots of fun. Please do tik tok dance to breakingFree - it will go viral. Very inspiring but also realistic.

Liv - Student at St Aidan’s

Absolutely amazing! Simple to understand, easy reference to everyday life. Helped understand small changes we can make day to day to help our mental health in everyday life. So thankful for this presentation!

Jasmin Wallace - Services Coordinator at Surf Life Saving Queensland

Simple and straightforward tips and tricks to help youths put their mental health as a priority. Engaging, insightful, funny and thought provoking. Will be taking this information home to use myself!

Lynelle - Membership Coordinator at Surf Life Saving Queensland

James is passionate, engaging and informative. All students were listening intently to the presentation. James provided facts, techniques and strategies.

Jasmine Lange - Head of Mathematics at A.B Paterson College

Thank you so much. It was good to have a presentation that told us how to positively take action to improve our mental health.

Megan Van Tander - Student at Rivermount College

Thank you so much. This was very fun and put such a big smile on my face. It was very engaging and personal which made me smile so much.

Renae - Student at Rivermount College

Just thought I would let you know that your speech you did at Nudgee made a massive impact to me and all my mates, and I hope you keep doing it, because even these little stories on your instagram keep reminding me to do the steps you showed us.

Boston - Student

Program was awesome and very influential, love your work and will definitely start to take on the simple strategies you talked about.

Jim - Student

The program was seriously so influential and made a huge impact on us all. I struggle with bad anxiety and only a couple of my friends know that but just sitting through your presentation I’m feeling more comfortable and inspired to make some more positive changes in my life that will hopefully help my anxiety.

Leilani - Student

Hey bro loved your speech today and the last time you visited Rivermount I reckon its had a great impact on me because you made keeping my mental health in my own hands so simple. Something like changing my diet made a great impact on my mind and is really achievable. Love your work man, thanks heaps!

Liam - Student

Good on you James for doing that at school today. You and your father are very inspiring and we really need more of you around. I love what you do and really believe it is what we need, especially this generation. Thanks again mate looking forward to the next presentation!

Sach - Student

Hi James came into my school to talk today and I really wanted to thank him for being so open to us about his past experiences. It really resonated with me, because my father also recently passed and I haven’t been prioritising my mental health recently and he really inspired me. Thank you so so much! I learnt so much and I am very thankful.

Emily - Student

My son came home yesterday and told me all about the speaker that was in on Wednesday, he was so interested in what was said, and pretty much told me word for word about it. He had the biggest smile on his face telling me about it, it was almost like a little weight had been lifted on his mind. I asked him if he could relate to any of it, and I said I could certainly relate to it and he said he could relate to all of it. I liked the part about the Mediterranean food, so I said perfect we are moving to Greece!! Hahaha (wishful thinking). This really couldn’t of come at a better time for him. Thank you it was perfect, he really enjoys motivational speakers, and the one yesterday was extra special. I think this will make our decision on taking him to a specialist a little easier when we tell him.

Parent of Student

Your presentation was great. It was well received by the students, who upon reflection, rated the content relevant and applicable to their lives. The 8-step approach was easy to follow and practical in terms of implementing positive choices around lifestyle and mental health & wellbeing. After the session, majority of students were able to identify 1-2 changes that they would like to implement in their life based off the content you covered. The feedback from the staff was excellent and we would love to have you back in the future to talk to our students (probably Year 11's next time, as discussed).

Jason Turner - Year 10 Coordinator (Thornlie SHS)

Thank you for visiting Governor Stirling SHS last Thursday. Our year 11 and 12 students thoroughly enjoyed your presentation on holistic mental health. Your fresh, fast paced and interesting presentation gave our students some practical solutions for the modern world. Thank you for including us in your tour of WA and we hope to work with you again.

Rachal Hughes - Year 11/12 Coordinator (Governor Stirling SHS)

This is the third year in a row I’ve got James to do a presentation and he consistently does an amazing job of communicating easy-to-implement positive habits to improve mental health. I’d recommend him to any school, as the students can really benefit from what he has to say.

Lukas Avgerinas - Guidance Councillor (Windaroo Valley SHS)

We have used James for the last 8 years. He is able to connect with his audience through his enthusiasm and sincerity. The focus on establishing healthy habits is invaluable for the year 11 cohort. I highly recommend you have him present to your students.

Douglas Seymour - Head of Year 11 (Coomera Anglican College)

James is a passionate and enthusiastic presenter and the topics he covers are relevant and so valuable for young people. Our year 11 cohort was engaged the whole time and took away valuable learnings from this presentation. Thank you James.

Rebecca Sullivan - Head of Year 11 (Ipswich Girls Grammar)

A fantastic program that targets key issues for school age young adults. Really relevant strategies to cope with the stress and difficulty of being a teenager. James presented in an engaging and interactive way that ensured students were involved in the sessions.

Spence Attoe - Head of Year 11 (Somerset College)

James provided a succinct and information packed presentation. Students remained enthralled and could take practical, achievable goals to assist in their daily lives. James is genuine and appeals to students needs and will provide ongoing benefits.

Teacher (Varsity College)

I truly admire and am inspired by James' personal story and why he started the program. From the presentation I have learnt to prioritise my mental health despite having the habit of stressing over school work and other commitments. I will take the daily habits in consideration and hopefully make changes in my lifestyle to improve my mental health. I will continue to put my mental health first when making life choices and try to be my best self as much as possible. Thank you.

Grade 10 Student (Assisi Catholic College)

Thank you so much James for informing our year about the small changes that can improve our mental health. I will definitely use some of the daily strategies and recommend the strategies to friends and family. I really appreciate you taking the time to speak to us about mental health and how important it is! Thank you once again.

Grade 10 Student (Assisi Catholic College)

James has been coming to Coombabah SHS and presenting for 3 years now. The program is extremely relevant and delivered in a dynamic fashion. Highly recommend to any high school.

Scott Marlow - Grade 12 Dean (Coombabah SHS)

James is an incredible presenter. He is engaging and provides practical easy strategies to help students improve their mental health. We received multiple multiple emails from parents and students after the first presentation saying how much they enjoyed and benefited from it. Highly recommended.

Brittany Nicholson - Dean of Year 10 (Southport SHS)

James speaks with passion and relevance, empowering teenagers with effective and practical tips for improving their mental health in leaps and bounds.

Kylie Diviak - Head of House (Benowa SHS)

James is an engaging and informative speaker with great command of the room. The program content is incredibly relevant to our grade 10 students. I will be implementing the 8 lifestyle choices into my own life!

Kat Tempest, Teacher (Silkwood School)

The program was very relevant for our grade 10 cohort. Useful advice that is realistic for anyone to implement / accomplish. Engaging!

Jess Zabawa, Year 10 Dean (Southport SHS)

Thank you James for your engaging and honest presentation with our grade 11 students. Your strategies have helped to give them strategies to improve their happiness and to put their mental health first.

Holly Gardiner, Teacher (Shailer Park SHS)

James is a fantastic, engaging presenter, who connected well with our students and provided them with some useful strategies to use.

Sean Atiifale, Teacher (Somerset College)

James was inspiring and very engaging. The students picked up many strategies to deal with stress and anxiety. I recommend James to everyone.

Anonymous, Teacher (Silkwood Sxhool)

James engaged with the students very well, he gave good, positive advice to them on their mental health. I myself witnessed his program a few years earlier, and I found him just as, if not more engaged and dedicated to his cause.

Jackson Gardner, Ex Student and Teacher (Rivermount College)

The energy was great and engaging for our young people. The messages were clear and easy to remember. The use of the cards gave the students a ready reference to support services.

Jessie Wilson, Teacher (Silkwood School)

The program given by James was relevant and engaging to our year 12 cohort. Our students found James to be relatable and his presentation style endeared him to all of our students. Thank-you again James for visiting our school with this very important message, our students have taken away many goals to improve their mental health. We would love you to come back!

Kathy-Anne Woolley, Year 12 Coordinator (Woodridge SHS)

Hi James, I am a student at Ipswich Girls' Grammar School (I spoke with you briefly after the seminar) and I just wanted to say how incredibly grateful I am for you coming and speaking to us today (and last week). You are the best guest speaker we have ever had and I think your structured, realistic approach is flawless and so helpful. I know that many people in my peer group, myself included, have been impacted by mental health issues in some way, and I think that the other girls found your session just as powerful and useful as I did. James was such an engaging speaker and I loved his approach to the session. Thank you so much.

Ashleigh, Student (Ipswich Girls Grammar)

A totally impassioned young man who speaks frankly and from the heart, about the small steps our students can take to preserve and restore their mental health. A fast paced, entertaining and interesting presentation of facts and practical solutions for our modern lifestyles. James gets to the point and identifies the factors in our technologically driven lives that disconnect us from our humanity and provides powerful food for thought. Our mental health is all we really have and without it, we have nothing. An important presentation for anyone of any age, we were grateful James was able to include us in his program again this year.

Kylie Diviak, Teacher (Benowa SHS)

I don’t know if you’ll see this. But I’m from Alexander Hills SHS and you visited us this week. I would just like to say thank you, this is really helping kids. I’ve had my friends tell me how they’re gonna start doing this and that after listening to your program. Please keep going, you’re doing a great job.

Areena, Student (Alexander Hills SHS)

James from breakingFree came and spoke to us at our school today, the presentation was really great, I really felt like I could relate to the things he was saying. Having listened to him, I’ve looked back on my life and realised about two years ago I experienced some mental health issues but I didn’t realise it the time, it went on for about 8 months and throughout that time I was extremely unhappy and didn’t enjoy life, I had thought it was just a phase I was going through so I didn’t reach out for help, looking back now I can say I’m extremely fortunate that I got through it. I didn’t know the 8 steps that could’ve helped me then, but now thanks to the speech I heard today I know them. More people need to hear this stuff, so keep up the great work! Thank you.

Marcus, Student (Canterbury College)

Just wanted say thank you so much for the presentation you gave to us at Marymount College it was absolutely one of the only presentations I ever actually listened to and it was so engaging. Honestly I have recommended you guys to everyone it was absolutely epic. Thank you so much.

Dylan, Student (Marymount College)

Hey I'm a student and I was listening to a presentation by James and wanted to say that your kind of organisation helps a lot of people. Me included and I just wanted to thank you guys for being great!

Cameron, Young Person

Hey James, you visited my school on Tuesday. I just wanted to say thank you for doing these amazing things for the world. Also, this is actually the second time I've heard you present, as I was at another high school that you presented at last year and since then I have been implementing the 8 lifestyle changes. It's just amazing :) I had a really bad year last year, due to depression, ending up in hospital, but all the support that I've had, including yourself, has helped me to come back up and find a reason to live for. I just wanted to say that you have saved me, my friend's life and a lot of other teenagers lives. Thank you.

Sophie, Student

Just wanted to say I love keeping up to date with everything that's happened with Breaking Free over the years. My Dad and I were just reminiscing about when this started as a concept and how far you've come. You have truly impacted the lives of so many young people and I'm continually inspired. Thank you for the difference you made in my life and will inevitably make in many more.

Jana, Young Person

Cheers bro, really appreciate you sharing your story with us. I learnt a lot from it and have started using some of the tips you gave us.

Liam, Student (Victoria Point SHS)

The first speaker James Peterson I found very valuable. He made me think of new ways to deal with my mental health. Teenagers need to realise and have more access to this kind of information.

Brendan, Y Lead Altitude Day Participant

Hi James. Thank you so much for presenting at our school. The students were able to relate to you and the messages you were delivering. Many of them expressed to me that they really enjoyed your talk and some took notes! Great messages for a healthy lifestyle. We will definitely be booking you again next year. I hope you have a great Christmas and New Year, you are delivering an essential service to our community, keep up the fantastic work.

Helen Mckenzie, Head of Personalised Pathways (Varsity College)

So so epic! I love what you all do for the schools... something I wish there was more of during my upbringing.

Jake, Young Adult

Great stuff mate! You’re really helping to smash the stigma! It has to start at grass roots level. High school kids are the future! They need to know its not weak to put an arm around your friend and ask them whats up.

Tristan, Young Adult

Thank you for visiting St Hilda’s earlier this year. Being young and enthusiastic and speaking from personal experience meant that you struck a chord with the girls you spoke to. The speech was informative and engaging and many girls stuck around wanted to speak to you about personal experiences and how you had made things clearer around depression and mental illness. Even now the girls talk about feeling depressed more openly and say that I am going to get some sun, go for a walk, exercise to put my mind in a happy place. Educating young people to openly to talk about depression and teaching them strategies to help deal with it is not a need it is a necessity. Thank you for help with the students of St Hilda’s, we would definitely love to have you back next year.

Tim Crowe, Head of Senior School (St Hilda's)

Hey, I know this is an out of the blue message and you don’t know me at all, but you came to our school today Marymount, and gave our grade a talk about mental health, I’d just like to say it was a very inspirational talk and I am going to use the tips you gave us because I believe it will help. I have experienced depression, and related to what you were talking about. Your story brought a tear to my eye, but made me realise that mental health is a serious issue in our society to many people, so I would just like to say Thank you very much for your talk.

Amelia, Student (Marymount College)

Hi James, I just wanted to message to thank you for coming in to A.B yesterday as well as a few weeks ago to talk to us about something so important. I am very passionate about mental health awareness with it being such a personal topic for me as well, and it is organisations like yours that can truly save lives. I admire that you are making so much good out of hardship you went through and you are using your experience to positively influence so many young people. i am touched by the passion and integrity that comes through when u talk about this topic and I have learnt so much that I know will help me and so many of my peers. Thank you again, I wish you all the best for your personal future as well as the future for breaking free and I encourage you to continue to inspire others!

Isabella, Student (A.B Paterson College)

Hi there, I just wanted to let you know how life changing your talk was. James spoke to my school and since then I’ve helped my girlfriend recover from being re-diagnosed as having borderline personality disorder after suffering from depression for 2 years. It has helped me help her so much, the little changes have made the quality of her life so much higher. Thank you so so much for everything that you do.

Student who wishes to remain anonymous

Just wanted to say I thought your words were really moving and inspired me to grasp my awareness of depression and apply it to not only myself but friends and family! Your information wasn’t just extremely helpful but your vision was so inspiring and I really appreciated you coming to speak to us! I’m sure I speak for many others when I say thank you!!

Tayla, Student (Somerset College)

James ran 2 very interactive and motivational sessions with our Year 11 students. The material was most relevant for foregrounding the value of effective mental health and well-being practices, and the strategies one can use to offset the stressors of life in general, and school in particular. We will be inviting James back to continue the great work he has started with the IGGS girls.

Jayne Acutt, Dean of Students (Ipswich Girls Grammar)

I am a registered psychologist who has worked with adolescents in an independent school for over ten years. I have now observed James speak to our Year 11 cohort two years in a row. He conveys a clear message to the students with regards to the importance of mental health and does this in a passionate and convincing manner. I especially like his focus on stress and how it can affect the body if experienced chronically and I think his explanation of the hunter gatherer way of living compared with our modern fast paced existence is impactful. He then provides his young audience with eight practical ways in which they can make lifestyle choices that support mental health. James is an engaging speaker because he is close in age to his audience but also because he is obviously very well-informed, has a charming personality, and speaks with authenticity. Both times he has spoken to this large group I have watched the captivated looks on the faces of our students. The spontaneous laughter they exude when James makes a light-hearted comment from time to time I think is testament to how enthralled they are with his presentation. I have no hesitation in recommending James as a worthwhile presenter to students in any school.

Dr Lee-Ann Prideaux, Psychologist (Coomera Anglican College)

The representative from breakingFree was informative to listen to. His personal experience made it easy to understand the long-term effects of poor mental health, and informed us about the impact it can have on those close to you. It was reassuring to be given the available steps and resources in order to prevent and maintain stable mental health, as well as how to assist others who are going through a rough time.

Student who wishes to remain anonymous

It was very difficult for the public school I work at to allocate anything outside of curriculum time. In the short space of time available at an assembly James Peterson positively and empoweringly addressed year 11 and 12 cohort together (approximately 600 students) about how and why it is so important to look after our mental health and well-being. James had nothing more than himself and a microphone with no access to his usual powerpoint presentations in this instance.

James captured and held everyone’s attention in that hall and his ability to relate this awareness to us all, staff included made everyone realize that looking after our own mental health is vitally important and actually impacts on us all and not just another person, someone else or someone they don’t know. Students and staff alike have commented that they would like to hear more from James and the messages he has to share and were disappointed that they didn’t get to hear all of his messages due to time constraints.

For James to have had such a positive and powerful impact with only himself and a microphone in a short space of time is all that needs to be said.

Anonymous school mental health nurse

James delivered the presentation in an engaging and informative manner that allowed our male Year 11 students to connect with his messages. They walked away with a greater understanding of the importance of looking after their mental health, as well as the mental health of their friends. Your enthusiastic approach engaged the boys interest and promoted discussions regarding this important issue.

Matt Carroll, Year 11 Coordinator (Marymount College)

Dear James, you came and spoke at my school on Thursday. It was very inspirational, and I really hope the 8 tips thingy works for me. I have a mild depression and anxiety. I also tend to get quite a lot of panic attacks in public. I just wanted to personally say thank you for the talk. I think it's wonderful what you're doing, going around and talking about these things. I am a new student to Australia and my school, and I have found it really hard to settle in, and its making my issues worse then it was before. The talk you gave was pretty much a bit of an eye opener for me. I really appreciate it. Thank you :)

Georgia, Student (St Hilda’s)

Hello James, my daughter is a student at St Hilda's and was very moved by your talk on your father and his depression yesterday. The fact that you are going to schools and talking to students is an incredibly honourable thing to do. Reducing the stigma of mental illness and letting people know that there is help available is imperative. I'm a mental health nurse at the Gold Coast university hospital and deal with suicidal people every day, the numbers are growing and it is such a sad time when someone takes their life. What you are doing is amazing and I'm sure that your father would be very proud. If you ever need any resources or information I would be happy to help.

Michelle, Parent (St Hilda’s)

Dear James, thank you for giving up your precious time to talk with our Yr 10s on Monday. The students thoroughly enjoyed your story, the sharing of knowledge and your drive for positive change.

Teacher (Trinity Lutheran College)

Guest speaker James Peterson was brilliant. He is a remarkably talented 19 year old, highly accomplished in his academic and personal pursuits. I saw many smiles on the students faces today.

Kate Morrissey, Year 10 Coordinator (Trinity Lutheran College)