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 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.

This network aims to collaborate with health professionals including lived-experience experts who wish to improve the health and quality of life of people with severe mental illness (e.g, Schizophrenia, Bipolar). One of our key focuses will be promoting and implementing social prescribing, to alleviate the stigma and loneliness associated with this patient group. We hope to achieve that through collaborative learning and brainstorming, involving social prescribing experts. Meetings are held quarterly at a local venue in Darwin. **All new members are encouraged to please complete the planning survey available in the network resources section below.**