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Lived Experience Workforce

— LGBTIQ+ and the Lived Experience Workforce

Worrell S., Waling A., Anderson J., Fairchild J., Lyons A., Pepping C., & Bourne A. 
(2021). 
Lean on me: Exploring suicide prevention and mental health-related peer support in Melbourne’s LGBTQ communities. 
Melbourne: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University
Full Text

Summary

Examining the experiences of people who help others during a mental health crisis. Drawing on data from 25 interviews and a survey of more than 300 people, this report focuses specifically on how LGBTQ people who provide peer support are impacted by doing so. Lean on Me demonstrates that burnout is a common negative impact of suicide prevention and mental health-related peer support in an LGBTQ context.


Mind Australia Limited 
(2022). 
Respect in action webinar - LGBTIQA+ peer leadership: lived experience approaches to mental health. 
Full Text

Summary

The importance of peer leadership in LGBTIQA+ mental health was a recurring theme for speakers at Mind Australia’s inaugural ‘Respect in action’ webinar. Launched on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), the three-part webinar series is designed to foster conversations and provide an opportunity to learn more about the mental health needs of people from all backgrounds, ages and abilities.


Borthwick, J., Jaffey, L., & Snell, J. 
(2020). 
Exploration of peer support models to support LGBTQ+ people with their mental health. 
London: Centre for Mental Health
Full Text

Summary

In this review, different types of peer support operating for LGBTQ+ people were found:

  • Naturally occurring peer support within LGBTQ+ communities
  • Peer run groups and networks
  • Professionally run peer support, based on either shared experience of LGBTQ+ identity, of mental health problems, or of both.
Project Partners

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Acknowledgement of Country

The National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum and the National Primary Health Network Mental Health Lived Experience Engagement Network acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters on which we work and live on across Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Definition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience

“A lived experience recognises the effects of ongoing negative historical impacts and or specific events on the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It encompasses the cultural, spiritual, physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of the individual, family or community.

“People with lived or living experience of suicide are those who have experienced suicidal thoughts, survived a suicide attempt, cared for someone through a suicidal crisis, been bereaved by suicide or having a loved one who has died by suicide, acknowledging that this experience is significantly different and takes into consideration Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples ways of understanding social and emotional wellbeing.” - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre

We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to this site and invite them to provide any feedback or items for inclusion.

Recognition of Lived Experience

We also recognise people with lived and living experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who are carers, families, kin, or supporters.

 

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