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.

The Riverland Mental Health Professionals’ Network brings together mental health professionals from the Riverland region of South Australia (our area will encompass - Riverland locations including Berri, Renmark, Barmera, Loxton, and Waikerie) to connect, share insights, and collaborate in a safe and supportive environment.

Our bi-monthly meetings feature a mix of guest speakers, resource sharing, and case-based discussions, all focused on promoting timely, effective, and multidisciplinary care for Riverland communities.

The network is hybrid, offering both in-person and online participation to make engagement easy and accessible for everyone.

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**

Objectives of Network:

• Create networking opportunities to reduce isolation among practitioners
• Provide the time and space to support bi-monthly self-care gatherings

Operations of the Network:

• Bi-monthly online meetings with occasional in-person meetings at Coordinator’s discretion
• Invited guest speaker/panel opportunities
• Peer contributions shared and welcomed 
• Attendance at a majority of meetings preferred
• Annual review of the group and its function

Save the Dates:

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

• Tuesday 3 February 2026
• Tuesday 7 April 2026
• Tuesday 2 June 2026
• Tuesday 4 August 2026
• Tuesday 6 October 2026
• Tuesday 1 December 2026

Network Coordinators: Carol-Ann Stanborough & Melanie Gilgen

Carol-Ann and Melanie are Mental Health Nurses with a genuine passion for building meaningful connections and championing multidisciplinary collaboration to strengthen mental health care.

Carol-Ann Stanborough (Lecturer Rural and Remote Mental Health | Mental Health Academic- teaching and research, Flinders University Dept of Rural Health -Renmark SA)

Carol-Ann is Registered Nurse/ midwife / mental health nurse with 30+ years of living & working in rural and remote areas. Experienced manager, leader, clinical educator and mental health nurse. Her vision is to impart practical mental health knowledge to university staff, students, industry workforce, and local communities through creation and delivery of accessible mental health education and training. Her current research includes the collaboration with UniSA & Australian Teletrials evaluating the 'Hearing Voices that are Distressing' simulation workshops re the impact of having a co-facilitator with lived experience, and how this changes practice of health and social care workers.

Melanie Gilgen (Portfolio Coordinator and Mental Health Clinician, FocusOne Health Berri, SA)

Melanie is Registered Nurse, Midwife and Credentialed Mental Health Nurse with experience across metropolitan, rural and remote communities, acute care, general practice and NGOs. Her vision to create a connected network that supports and nurtures mental health clinicians from students through to experienced clinicians and beyond to feel included, heard and valued in their work, listens to and understands their challenges and provides peer support and guidance.