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Lived Experience Workforce

— Tools, Guidelines & Frameworks

What should be done and how it can be done.

COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW 
(2021). 
Framework for mental health lived experience (peer) work in South Eastern NSW. 
Southern NSW Local Health District. Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
Full Text

Summary

A framework is like the scaffolding that supports a building while it is under construction. It is the safe place from which the builders, the carpenters, the plumbers, the painters can work to realise the plans for the building. It is so important for the work to proceed, but in the end the building must be able to stand on its own. Lived Experience (Peer) Workers are the owner builders of the mental health system.


Foglesong, D., Knowles, K., Cronise, R., Wolf, J., & Edwards, J. P. 
(2021). 
National Practice Guidelines for Peer Support Specialists and Supervisors. 
Psychiatric Services
appi.ps.2020009. 
Full Text

Abstract

In 2017, the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) leadership became aware of growing member concerns about supervision contradicting or conflicting with core peer support values. In response, N.A.P.S. established a work group that revised the association’s 2013 National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters to include specific guidance to supervisors (i.e., the National Practice Guidelines for Peer Specialists and Supervisors).


Byrne, L., Wang, L., Roennfeldt, H., Chapman, M., Darwin, L., Castles, C., Craze, L., & Saunders, M. 
(2021). 
National Lived Experience Workforce Guidelines: A national roadmap for collaborative development. 
National Mental Health Commission
Full Text

Summary

The guidelines will help support the Lived Experience workforce through providing formalised guidance for governments, employers and the Lived Experience workforce about support structures required to sustain and grow the workforce. Although local and regional lived experience workforce frameworks exist, the development of national guidelines will ensure consistency across Australia.


Byrne, L., Roennfeldt, H., Wolf, J., Linfoot, A., Foglesong, D., Davidson, L., & Bellamy, C. 
(2021). 
Effective peer employment within multidisciplinary organizations: Model for best practice. 
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
Membership, Subscription or Payment

Abstract

This study sought a clearer understanding of organizational mechanisms reinforcing effective peer employment and organizational change from the perspectives of peer workers, non-peer staff and management in multidisciplinary mental health and substance use recovery services. Findings were used to develop a model for organizational best practice for peer employment and associated organizational change to promote recovery-oriented and person-directed services.


Byrne, L., Wang, L., Roennfeldt, H., Chapman, M., Darwin, L., Castles, C., Craze, L., & Saunders, M. 
(2021). 
National Lived Experience Development Guidelines: Lived Experience Roles. 
National Mental Health Commission
Full Text

Summary

This document is structured to provide a brief overview of the collective Lived Experience workforce and Lived Experience work, followed by the essentials of position descriptions that authentically represent Lived Experience practice. A detailed guide to Lived Experience roles and position description development is provided, along with examples and practical considerations from Lived Experience workers, employers, and evidence-based literature.

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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