OPPORTUNITIES FOR USING (Y)OUR LIVED EXPERIENCE FOR CHANGE

HAVE A SAY & GET ACTIVE + SPACES & PLACES WHERE PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE CONNECT OR LEARN

Representative & Development Opportunities:

Contribute via Surveys and Research:

[WORKING GROUPS]: With NALHN Forensic Mental Health Services

NALHN is seeking people with lived experience in mental health to participate on the Forensic Mental Health Services Implementation Project Working Groups.

They are also seeking Aboriginal people to provide representation, lived experience in mental health or as a carer of someone who has a mental health condition.

NAHLN are seeking Lived Experience Representatives to nominate to be involved in one of six Working Groups that will assist the implementation of recommendations from the Forensic Mental Health Service review. Nominations are sought as soon as possible, ideally via the nomination form link or alternatively they can be contacted via email:  Health.NALHNFMHSReviewImplementationProject@sa.gov.au

Nominees will be paid for their attendance at these meetings in line with the SA Health Sitting Fees and Reimbursement for External Individuals Policy. The time required is initially 1 hour per month, likely for 12 months. The exact time of each meeting differs but most are held on a Monday afternoon. 

[COMMITTEE MEMBER]: The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

Expressions of interest for the community member positions to join The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Community Collaboration Committee (CCC) are now welcome.

Are you a person who would like to use your acquired lived experience expertise to positively influence the policy and practices of psychiatric care in Australia or New Zealand? If so, the RANZCP invite you to bring your unique perspective and lived experience expertise to the RANZCP Community Collaboration Committee.

For more information and to apply, click here.

[SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS]: Experience with Homelessness and Housing Services in South Australia with SYC

Have your say about renting and housing challenges in SA

Have you experienced housing insecurity or homelessness in the last five years? Would you like the opportunity to share your lived experience of accessing SA’s current housing and homelessness systems and contribute to the housing and homelessness reform? SYC want to hear from people willing to share their housing challenges (particularly with renting) and discuss what can be done to make things better.
There are opportunities to participate in different ways including interviews, focus groups and reference groups. If you participate you will receive a gift card to reimburse you for your time and contribution.

Register your interest here.

[REPORT]: Report a Media Item to StigmaWatch with SANE

If you find media coverage that stigmatises mental ill health or irresponsibly reports suicide, you can report the item to StigmaWatch.

Anyone can report a media item to StigmaWatch. If the coverage is found to breach media reporting guidelines, StigmaWatch will contact the media outlet involved with constructive feedback and advice.

They also want to hear about positive media stories of mental ill health, suicide and AOD. These are stories that can reduce potential harm and enhance community understanding about the issues.

Find the Mindframe media reporting guidelines here.

Click here to access the StigmaWatch criteria.

Click here to report a media item to Stigma Watch.

[ABORIGINAL PATIENT LIVED EXPERIENCE REPRESENTATIVE]: SA Pharmacy

 

SA Pharmacy is committed to driving system level reform to Close the Gap in health inequity for Aboriginal people.

 

More information about this commitment can be found here (https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/services/dental+diagnostic+and+pharmacy+services/pharmacy+services/about+us/best+care+for+aboriginal+people)

The SA Pharmacy Aboriginal Health / RAP Working Group is committed to engaging and partnering with community.  They are looking for an Aboriginal person to provide a patient voice on their Working Group.

The Working Group meets once every 2 months and you would be remunerated for your time.

If this is something that interests you, please reach out via phone or email:

Cheyne Sullivan, SA Pharmacy Aboriginal Health Lead

Cheyne.Sullivan@sa.gov.au 

0433 856 556

[GET INVOLVED]: Represent people with a disability With JFA Purple Orange

JFA Purple Orange are making a database of people who would like to be contacted by Purple Orange when there is an opportunity to get involved in their work. This usually takes 1-2 hours and you may be paid for your time. They sometimes also have opportunities for people to tell their stories through social media. If you would like to be in this database, please fill out this short survey about your interests and availability: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SupportingPurpleOrange

[SURVEY]: Feedback on the Urgent Mental Health Care Centre with the University of Melbourne

 

Are you interested in giving some feedback about your experiences to help us understand the things that are going well and that could be improved at the Head to Health Service or Urgent Mental Health Care Centre from a community perspective.

This survey will take about 5-10 minutes to complete and is part of a bigger project to get people’s views on these services.

The survey is anonymous and all information you provide will be collected and managed at The ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health at the University of Melbourne and no individual information will be shared with staff at the service you are involved with or Neami National.

To take the survey click here.

[SURVEY]: Lived Experience of Suicide National Research Survey with Mindframe

 

Everymind is conducting research to develop evidence-informed guidelines for safe communication around lived experience of suicide. As part of this research, they are inviting people who have a lived and living experience of suicide, and are 18 years of age and over, to provide feedback via a survey. This survey seeks to understand core considerations for people with lived experience of suicide who are working with the media. 

For more information and to participate click here

[SURVEY]: Improving Emergency Department Care for Suicidal Teens and Their Families with Deakin University and Monash Health

 

In a joint project between Deakin University and Monash Health, their teams are conducting research to develop a new intervention to support young people who present to the emergency department at risk of suicide, and their parents.

One part of the intervention will be a series of text messages to support young people and their parents in the days and weeks after they are discharged from the emergency department (ED). To do this, they are looking for parents/carers of a young person who presented to an ED for suicide-related concerns when the young person was aged 12-18, to complete a brief survey. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in a follow-up interview. 

To complete the survey click here.

[EVALUATE]: Supporting Voice Hearers

Do you work with people who hear voices? The University of Sydney invite you to be part of a research study to help us evaluate a set of online resources to help mental health workers to support voice-hearers using an evidence-based voice hearing approach.

You are eligible if you are a mental health worker (e.g., clinician, support worker peer worker, psychiatrist) who works with voice-hearers. Participating in the study involves less than 3 hours of your time spread over an 8 week period. It includes you going through the online resources (2 hours) and doing three questionnaires (5-20 minutes each). You will be randomised to receive the resources immediately (after doing the first questionnaire) or in 4 weeks’ time (after the doing the second questionnaire).

For more information or to volunteer for the study:
Contact Dr Anne Honey atanne.honey@sydney.edu.au
Read the Participant Information Statement available at the link below
https://t.ly/eiDgc

 

[SURVEY]: Self Compassion, Resilience, and Burnout in Peer Support Workers with the Australian College of Applied Professions

Peer support workers’ roles are similar to other mental health professionals and they are just as susceptible to burnout. However, they experience more challenges in the workplace.

This research will help us understand if, like other mental health professionals, self-compassion and resilience help to protect peer support workers against burnout. Findings will also help to inform the future needs of the peer support workforce.

The study involves completing a survey if you are currently employed as a peer support worker in Australia.

For more information and to take the survey click here.

[RESEARCH]: Lived Experiences of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders in Australia, Victoria University

Victoria University would like to hear from adults (18+) with a lived experience of OCD, hoarding, compulsive hair puling/skin picking or body dysmorphia to better understand if and how other people treat you differently because of your mental health. It is hoped that this research will help shine a light on what it’s like to live with obsessive-compulsive and related disorders in Australia, and guide anti-stigma practices in health and mental healthcare settings, workplaces, in the media, online, and in personal relationships.

What’s involved?

  • You will be asked to complete a confidential online survey at a time and place that’s convenient to you. You will be asked questions about:
  • Your demographic information
  • Your obsessive-compulsive and other related symptoms
  • How other people treat you (both positively and negatively) because of your lived experience of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
  • Your own and other’s attitudes towards people living with obsessive-compulsive and related disorders

Questions about stigma will cover a range of important areas of life – your relationships with friends and family, employment, treatment in health and mental healthcare services, and what you’ve seen in social media and mass media.

For more information, contact lead researcher, Dr Imogen Rehm: imogen.rehm@vu.edu.au

Find more information and access the survey here.

[SURVEY]: The Co-Creating Safe Spaces Project with the Australian National University

The Co-Creating Safe Spaces project is led by A/Prof Michelle Banfield and a team of lived experience researchers based at The Australian National University. They are evaluating safe spaces and safe havens in Australia in collaboration with services and communities. The project is funded by a grant from Suicide Prevention Australia.

As a part of their research, they are seeking people from the community to fill in our anonymous online survey, to share their insights on services and support for people experiencing emotional distress and/or suicidal crisis. Anyone over 16 years is welcome to contribute, whether or not they have heard about or used safe spaces.

The survey is open to anyone aged 16 years or over. Whether you have personal experience, have supported someone in distress, or simply wish to contribute, they welcome your input!

For more information and to access the survey, click here

[RESEARCH]: Investigating the Experiences of Providing Mental Health Peer-support in Australia with the Victoria University

Do you provide peer-support to Australians living with mental health issues or accessing mental healthcare services? If so, researchers from Victoria University would like to hear from you about the benefits and challenges you face in this important work. This research aims to better understand how workplace factors, and other factors like self-stigma and personal recovery, might contribute to the job satisfaction and quality of life of Australia’s mental health peer-support workforce.

What’s involved?

You will be asked to complete a confidential online survey at a time and place that’s convenient to you. The survey should take ~30 minutes to complete. You will be asked questions about your:

  • ·Demographic information
  • ·The benefits and challenges of your role as a peer-supporter
  • ·Job satisfaction and quality of life
  • ·Experiences with self-stigma and mental health recovery
  • You are eligible to participate in this research if you are:
  • ·Aged 18+
  • ·Have worked as a mental health peer-supporter in Australia during the past 12 months (paid or voluntary roles)
  • ·Have a lived experience of mental health issues, psychological distress, mental health service use, and/or recovery

To learn more, click on this link or contact Rachel Sherlock: rachel.sherlock1@vu.edu.au

Lived Experience Job Opportunities:

[PEER MENTOR- CRIMINAL JUSTICE]: Acrofyre, Adelaide

This is a hybrid contract role for a Peer Mentor at ARCOFYRE®, located in the Greater Adelaide Area with flexibility to work remotely. Peer Mentors will be responsible for supporting and mentoring individuals with a psychosocial disability who have had prior involvement in the criminal justice system, utilizing their experience to provide insight, support, and encouragement. Peer Mentors will also assist in developing and implementing programs, providing training, capacity building and supporting some assertive outreach efforts.

For more information and to apply, click here

[PEER WORKERS]: Flourish Australia, Adelaide, applications close Thursday 28 March

 

As a Mental Health Worker or Peer Worker, you will support people accessing our services who have a lived experience of mental health issues to achieve their hopes and dreams. You will play an important part in assisting people to maintain wellness and realise their goals. On a day to day basis you will:

  • Listen to and create opportunities and activities that meet the interests and goals of people.
  • Encourage shared learning experiences, and support skill development at every opportunity through self-directed learning, information and education.
  • Ensure that individual support is provided to a person that accesses Flourish Australia services that meet their recovery journey goals and is strengths based and led by the person wherever possible.
  • Be ‘hands on’ and involved in direct service delivery.

For more information and to apply, click here

[PEER WORKER]: Your Linc, Mt Gambier and Limestone Coast, applications close Friday 29 March

 

Peer Workers form effective and empathetic relationships and provide positive role modelling by appropriately sharing lived experience and understanding of the impact of mental health challenges, service use and recovery.

Tier 1 (6 weeks) – Intensive Crisis Support – provision of flexible high intensity case management support. The key outcomes are reduced levels of distress/increased wellbeing via addressing immediate stressors and crises, and supported transition and exit with step-down provision and warm referrals to services as appropriate.

Tier 2 (4 – 12 month) – Non-acute Psychosocial Support – provision of a moderate intensity case management approach to support people to build independence, connect with natural and community supports, and improve people’s quality of life over a period of 4 months.  

For more information and to apply, click here.

[GROUPS AND ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR]: Flourish Australia, Adelaide, applications close Thursday 11 April

 

The Groups and Engagement Coordinator works in the community with people with lived experience of a mental health issue, supporting their access to Flourish Australia services, and in pursuing their recovery goals. 

As a Groups and Engagement Coordinator, you will work closely with frontline staff, partner organisations and other external stakeholders to enhance the social group projects and initiatives delivered to people accessing the service to build their capacity and independence. You will deliver and co-facilitate group programs and workshops on relevant topics, develop and maintain partnerships to increase the group program offerings, and develop strategies to increase attendance and awareness of social support groups and other initiatives. 

To learn more and to apply, click here

[PEER SUPPORT WORKER]: Country and Outback Health Inc, Nuriootpa

 

  • Permanent full-time position based in Nuriootpa
  • 75 hours per fortnight (Mon-Fri)

 

  • The peer support worker will utilise lived experience to provide information and referral support to consumers and carers to link with appropriate services to meet their needs including but not limited to housing, health, employment and financial supports.
  • Facilitate consumers and families to establish and maintain engagement with services to support recovery using recovery-orientated principals.
  • Support consumers to implement action plans developed through needs assessment and planning in conjunction with other workers.
  • Provide waitlist monitoring and care.
  • Provide follow-up aftercare for consumers discharged and disengaged from service.
  • Work under the guidance and direction of the Engagement Officer.

For more information and to apply, click here.

[MALE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WORKER]: Life Without Barriers, Adelaide, applications close Wednesday 3 April

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Support clients to develop their own support plans in partnership with Life Without Barriers, Community Mental Health services and Carers.
  • Collaborate with clients, community, and support agencies such as mental health and housing for integrated and timely services.
  • Monitor and review client’s health, family and cultural progress against their plan and provide up to date progress reports to the partner organisations
  • Provide personalised active supports by:
    • Assisting in establishing daily routines and structures.
    • Helping to create and a sustainable and suitable housing environment where it may be lacking.
    • Coaching and guiding the people we support in day-to-day life skills such as cleaning, cooking, shopping, managing finances etc.
    • Encourage positive relationships with parents, family members, community, and other persons significant to the client.
    • Participating and advocating involvement in educational, vocational, and recreational programs that support practical living skills and community reintegration.

For more information and to apply, click here

[PEER WORKER]: Uniting SA, Whyalla

This role supports people experiencing mental health challenges, by providing a range of non-clinical acute and non-acute psycho-social rehabilitation services.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide a range of person centred and goal-oriented support services that enable consumers to achieve their goals and improved wellbeing.
  • Work with consumers to develop and achieve individual plans centred around achieving their goals.
  • Observe and report on consumers health and wellbeing concerns.
  • Assist consumers/team to review consumer support plan goals.
  • Provide respectful support, when needed, around individual health issues.
  • Plan and action time effectively to meet UnitingSA program and client needs.
  • Support consumers to navigate NDIS and other relevant systems to facilitate NDIS applications, when needed.

For more information and to apply, click here

Learning Opportunities:

Spaces and Places to Connect:

[CERTIFICATE IV IN MENTAL HEALTH PEER WORK]: Opportunity to study in Murray Bridge with Centacare

 

CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer work supports people with lived experience to enter the workforce, draw on their own life-changing experience, service use and their journey of recovery and healing, to support others. This qualification is suitable for those already employed in lived experience roles, and those who are brand new to the field.

Centacare’s Registered Training Organisation (RTO, provider number 1004) will be delivering this nationally recognised qualification in Murray Bridge, in April 2024. Communities in Mt Barker and Murray Bridge are strongly encouraged to apply.

This qualification is funded by Country PHN and supported by Mental Health Coalition of SA, and their Lived Experience Workforce Program (LEWP).

To complete an expression of interest, click here

[TRAINING]: NGO Mental Health Peer supervision training with the Lived Experience Workforce Program, applications close Wednesday 27th March

 

The Lived Experience Workforce Program (LEWP) is leading the development of the Lived Experience/Peer workforce in SA’s NGO mental heath sector. LEWP is pleased to offer free professional development for experienced NGO Lived Experience/Peer workers who wish to deliver Lived Experience/Peer practice supervision.

The LEWP invite people who are currently working in paid, designated NGO mental health Lived Experience/Peer work roles (personal or carer/family), to address the Essential Criteria noted on the Expression of Interest Form and submit before 27th March 5 pm.

To fill out an EOI, click here

[E-LEARNING]: Being eLearning Hub

BEING offers a series of free and fee-for service e-learning courses developed to enhance the knowledge and skills of mental health consumers, carers and allies.

These courses are non-accredited, personal and professional, training opportunities for anyone interested in learning key concepts to do with mental health in Australia.

Each course has been co-designed with Lived Experience experts and Peer Educators to ensure these flexible, self-paced, and person-centred learning options meet the needs of those who live with mental health issues.

For more information and to register click here.

 

[ONLINE JOB READINESS PROGRAM]: Thrive Pilot Program

 

Neami National and Get Skilled Access have partnered to develop THRIVE, a pilot program focused on improving job readiness and workplace inclusivity for people that experience mental health challenges or psychosocial disability.

THRIVE includes a suite of e-learning modules and workshops that guide participants and employers toward inclusive recruitment and inclusive workplace practices.

For more information click here.

To register click here.

 

[PEER SUPPORT]: Alternatives to Suicide (Alt2Su) groups with LELAN

 

Alternatives to Suicide (Alt2Su) peer-led community-based groups centre mutual connection and meaning making around suicide distress, thoughts and experiences. They offer non-clinical spaces where people can be honest about their experiences without fear of forced treatment, other forms of coercion, or risk assessment that shuts conversation down.

Multiple Alt2Su groups are available online and in-person for people in South Australia each week. Some groups are completely open and some are specifically designed to be for people of particular ages, gender, sexual or culturally diverse identities.

Alternatives to Suicide was developed by the Wildflower Alliance (formerly the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community) in the US.

To see what groups are running click here.

If you have any questions reach out to the LELAN team at info@lelan.org.au.

 

[NETWORK]: Lived Experience Advocacy Reflection Network (LEARN) with LELAN, Tuesday 2 April

 

LEARN is a reflective space for connection amongst people in South Australia interested in or new to using their lived experiences with mental health and other life challenges for advocacy.

When shared for a purpose our story is a powerful tool that helps us connect with others and offer insight. Join us as we explore tools and strategies to use our experiences for change.

To register, click here.

[COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE]: Lived Experience Leadership & Change with LELAN, Wednesday 17 April

 

The Lived Experience Leadership and Change Community of Practice is held online every six weeks and has been created to:

  • Offer a ‘safe-enough’ space for lived experience leaders and allies to share information and experiences about their change goals and efforts.
  • Explore and grapple with dilemmas and opportunities in and for influencing change.
  • Build capacity and skills to generate new thought, shared approaches and resources that support thinking and collective action in this space.

Dates for the Community of Practice for 2024 (9.30-11am SA time):

  • Wednesday April 17th 2024.
  • Wednesday May 29th 2024.
  • Wednesday July 10th 2024.
  • Wednesday August 21st 2024.
  • Wednesday October 2nd 2024.
  • Wednesday November 13th 2024.

For more information and to register click here.

For any questions about the Community of Practice email info@lelan.org.au.

 

[PEER SUPPORT]: Mind Recovery College, at Sonder Safe Haven Salisbury, every Friday 11.00am

Did you know that Mind Australia holds free, welcome to all, weekly Recovery College® Sessions in Salisbury?

Sessions are on Friday’s at 11am at the welcoming, comfortable space in Sonder’s Safe Haven.

These courses are informal, conversational, with a focus on education and peer support- facilitated by people with their own experiences of mental health challenges.

Walk-ins are most welcome.

Venue: Sonder Safe Haven, 9 John Street Salisbury SA 5108

For more information email James Turner James.Turner@mindaustralia.org.au

 

[PEER SUPPORT]: Listening Partnerships Project

 

Are you looking for support and connection to help navigate life’s complexities and struggles?
Would you like to receive this from peers, while also learning about how to offer it?
The Listening Partnerships Project is working to develop a network of people who are trained to exchange effective listening support with each other.
There will be a short 6-week pilot program in February and they are looking for people who may be interested in participating. For more information click here.
[SUPPORT]: Online practice support for SA Lived Experience/Peer Workers with the Lived Experience Workforce Program

 

The LEWP want to work together with Lived Experience workers to co-create a safe space to come together, to share wisdom and ideas relating to our Lived Experience knowledge and practice, build connections and support each other in the work we do.
If you are:
• Currently in a designated NGO or other mental health Lived Experience role
• Have been working in a designated role, are not currently working but actively seeking your next Lived Experience employment opportunity
• Are not working yet but are studying or have recently completed the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work…
…this space will be for you! Come along and help us shape what these sessions will look like.

• Thursday 28th March 2024
• 9:30am – 10:30am
• Zoom (link provided at time of registration)

To register, click here

 

[CONNECT]: Weekly online drop-in sessions with the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network

Join the Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) for their exciting new initiative – weekly drop-in sessions designed especially for young people like you! These informal online gatherings provide a unique opportunity for individuals from migrant, refugee, and international student backgrounds to have their voices heard and help shape MYAN’s national advocacy work.

Mark your calendars for the first 3 Wednesdays of the month from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm AEDT, with each session focusing on specific groups – young people from refugee backgrounds, young people from migrant backgrounds, and international students.

1st Wednesday: Young people from refugee background
2nd Wednesday: Young people from migrant background
3rd Wednesday: International student
To register, click here.
[EVENT]: Neighborhood Summit 2024 Wednesday 8 May

 

The annual inclusive Neighbourhood Summit 2024 invites neighbourhood groups, members, champions, and individuals with lived experience together to share and celebrate stories of neighbourhood connection, approaches to improve accessibility and inclusivity, as well as opportunities for individuals to network with one another!

This free event is being held at the Adelaide Showground Wednesday 8th May 10AM-3PM.

To get tickets, click here