Gippsland Primary Health Network has made a commitment to grow the Lived Experience workforce in the region and is one of only five Australian Primary Health Networks to have a dedicated Lived Experience role on staff.
A person with Lived Experience has firsthand or personal knowledge of mental distress or ill-health, substance abuse or suicide. These workers draw on their personal journeys as individuals or as carers to inform their work.
Professional Lived Experience roles fall across a range of areas including peer work, system advocacy, consultancy, learning and development, and academia.
Project Officer Mental Health Reform – Lived Experience, Jess Edwards, is delivering a pilot program aimed at embedding Lived Experience into Gippsland PHN’s work, processes and systems.
Gippsland PHN Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Proposch said in line with the National Agreement and Victorian bilateral schedule, the organisation was committed to this initiative.