Lived Experience

This network supports early career mental health workers within not-for-profit primary /mental health organisations in NSW and the ACT. Those within their first two years of employment are invited to join the group each month to ‘lunch and learn.’ The virtual meetings consist of guest presentations from interdisciplinary professional and lived experience leaders, post-presentation discussions, networking and peer support. This network is appropriate for those working in a variety of stepped-care mental health and suicide prevention programs across all age groups, including those within headspace centres. While all disciplines are welcome, it is envisaged the audience will predominately be graduates of social work, psychology, peer work, counselling and nursing.

This Network provides a safe, reflective, and collaborative space for mental health professionals to engage in peer support, case discussion, reflective practice, and professional development focusing on thoughtfully weaving spiritual care into mental health assessment, intervention, and recovery-oriented practice, while supporting services and communities to elevate and prioritise spiritual and mental health wellbeing.

Join the network to be added to the mailing list and receive invitations to future meetings.

 **All new members are encouraged to please complete the Express of Interest (EOI) Form**

Save the Dates:

Please mark your calendar with the FY25-26 online meeting dates:

• Tuesday 24 March 2026
• Tuesday 26 May 2026
• Tuesday 28 July 2026
• Tuesday 22 September 2026
• Tuesday 24 November 2026

Network Coordinators:

Rachael Wass (CEO, Meaningful Ageing Australia) 

Rachael’s previous experience was Associate Director (Aged Care specialist), Management Consultancy for KPMG, a CEO and Founder of Business Strategic Planning Consultancy in aged care and medical devices industry. She joins the Meaningful Ageing Australia team with extensive Brand Product Leadership roles, including a solid foundation in Healthcare Account Management spanning over 25 years. Based in Naarm (Melbourne), Rachael was formerly a carer for 15 years, a life-long Buddhist practitioner and her passions include learning about indigenous culture, meditation and philosophy, pilgrimages and the power of song.

Jennifer Greenham (Consultant)

Jenny champions the integration of mental and spiritual health to foster holistic wellbeing. Her work focuses on education, advocacy, and the implementation of universal spiritual care values, practices, and models, ensuring individuals feel supported and empowered to express their spirituality in authentic and meaningful ways. Most recently Jenny was privileged to work in the role of Mental Health Leader at Spiritual Health Association. In this capacity she led and facilitated reflective practice spaces for mental health practitioners in collaboration with industry partners, established and mentored a lived experience committee, and supported a network of mental health spiritual care practitioners. Additionally, she has overseen the creation of resources, engaged in research and presented to peers internationally.  

This network invites practitioners who are passionate about expanding their knowledge and skillset for the care of those experiencing an eating disorder. There is a keen focus on how best practice can be achieved by listening to the voices of lived experience and creating a multidisciplinary circle of care that reflects the needs of an individual and their support system. The network meetings will consist of presentations from guest speakers, case reviews and peer to peer support. Meetings will be held in the Bayside region and sessions will also be offered via Zoom to encourage anyone in Australia who is interested in attending.

SEEKING NEW COORDINATOR: Could you be Melbourne Veteran-Focussed Mental Health Network's new Network Coordinator? You’ll play a key role in supporting a community of practitioners who value multidisciplinary collaboration. Interested? Contact us here. 

The Melbourne Veteran-Focused network has a specific interest in supporting the mental health of veteran and supporting the mental health professionals that work with veterans. The aim of this group is to build on the knowledge of evidenced-based interventions that have been proven to work well with the veteran population, enhance understanding of the lived experience of veterans and the issues they face, and optimise clinical skills and decision making that can assist with improving therapeutic outcomes. The network meetings will consist of guest presentations, case study discussions, peer support and provision of resources within the veteran community. This network aims to meet quarterly and aims to be a safe place for discussion, questions and networking for mental health professionals of all experience levels. Everyone is welcome.

The Lived and Living experience practitioners’ network is an Australia wide, online network, open to anyone using Lived and Living Experience in their work. This network aims to enhance knowledge, connections and networks for people working in the Lived Experience space. Activities will be driven by members input, aiming to meet the needs and interests of the network members. This network is suitable for anyone working in the Lived Experience space, or anyone wanting to further their skills, knowledge and/or connections in this space including, but not limited to: Lived Experience consultants and trainers, lived Experience mentors and coaches, peer workers, health and medical practitioners, academics, researchers and others as relevant. Network activities may include: Informal networking opportunities, Presentations from services and individuals, Professional development opportunities such as Intentional Sharing of Lived and Living Experience workshops.

Port Hedland network connects mental health workers with lived and living experience to share knowledge, build relationships, and strengthen the workforce. This network exists to strengthen the capacity, confidence, and connection of peers working across mental health, trauma recovery, and lived experience spaces. Our purpose is to create a dynamic, supportive community where knowledge is shared freely, experience is valued deeply, and opportunities are co-created.

We aim to:

• Support each other through regular connection
• Share tools, insights, and resources
• Create clear referral and collaboration pathways
• Develop accessible training and learning opportunities

The network is open to all in the field — new or experienced, across roles and sectors. All are warmly welcome. It's a space to stay connected, grow professionally, and strengthen the visibility and impact of lived experience in mental health work.