Stigma Reduction Campaign

We’re tackling mental health stigma across Gippsland

Gippsland PHN is developing a campaign focused on challenging and reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health challenges, suicide-related distress or bereavement, and alcohol and other drug use.

The campaign aims to address both personal and community-level stigma, focusing on reducing the barriers that prevent people from seeking support, while increasing community understanding of the impact stigma and discrimination can have on individuals, families and communities.

Through raising awareness, sharing lived and living experience perspectives, and promoting understanding, the campaign seeks to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for those affected.

The campaign aims to:

  • Encourage help and support-seeking behaviours
  • Normalise conversations and experiences relating to mental health challenges, suicide-related distress or bereavement, and alcohol and other drug use
  • Promote career pathways in the lived and living experience workforce
  • Foster greater community understanding, empathy and inclusion

Action is needed to build a society where all people – including those who have experienced mental health challenges, trauma, distress, experiences related to suicide, or alcohol and other drug use – can live with dignity, connection and purpose, free from stigma and discrimination.

Help shape the campaign

- join our project advisory group

Have you experienced distress, mental health challenges, suicide-related distress or bereavement, and alcohol and other drug use either personally or as a supporter, family member or carer? Your experience and insights are valuable and can contribute to driving real change.

Gippsland PHN is recruiting community members for the Gippsland PHN Stigma Reduction Campaign Project Advisory Group to ensure that the voices of people with lived and living experience are represented in campaign planning and development.

Group members will have opportunities to provide feedback and recommendations that will inform the campaign and support meaningful change across Gippsland.

Why your voice matters

  • Turn your experience into impact and help create a campaign that meets real needs
  • Be heard and valued as your insights help shape the campaign
  • Be part of a passionate, supportive group and make a real difference

What is the role of project advisory group members?

  • Participate in online, one-hour meetings every three weeks over a four-month period from August 2026
  • Prepare for and actively contribute to meetings through attendance, discussion, and the development and review of key documents and project components
  • Provide input and advice from your area of experience and knowledge
  • Support open and respectful discussion and encourage fellow members to voice their insights
  • Contribute to the development of campaign materials

Project advisory group members will be financially compensated for attending meetings at a rate of $100 per hour.

We are looking for people who:

  • Live in Gippsland
  • Are aged 18 years or older
  • Have lived or living experience of mental health challenges, suicide-related distress or bereavement, or alcohol and other drug use, either personally or as a supporter, family member or carer
  • Want to use their experience to help others and shape future stigma reduction work
  • Are committed to creating positive change across Gippsland

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities and experiences. To help ensure the group reflects the diversity of Gippsland, we encourage applications from:

  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
  • People from multicultural backgrounds
  • Young people aged 18 years and over
  • People aged 65 years and over
  • People with disability
  • LGBTIQA+ people
  • Veterans

No formal qualifications are required to be part of the group, and diverse experiences are valued.

Read the position description to learn more.

HOW TO APPLY

To submit an expression of interest to join the Gippsland PHN Stigma Reduction Campaign Project Advisory Group, please complete the expression of interest form.

Expressions of interest close at 5:00pm on Friday 14 August 2026.

Further information

If you have any questions about the Gippsland PHN Stigma Reduction Campaign or joining the project advisory group, please email mark@ninetymileconsulting.com.

Last modified: July 24, 2026