National mental health lived experience peak bodies

We are creating peak bodies to support people with a lived or living experience of mental ill-health to shape the policies and programs that affect them. This includes consumers, families, carers and kin.

Establishing 2 national mental health lived experience peak bodies

The Australian Government values the contributions of people with lived and living experience of mental ill-health. Their stories continue to drive improvements to the mental health system and services.

We are working to set-up 2 independent national mental health lived experience peak bodies:

  • one representing consumers, and  
  • one representing families, carers, and kin.

These peak bodies will work to ensure people with lived and living experience of mental ill-health can help shape the policies and programs impacting them.

Designing the mental health lived experience peak bodies

A co-design process will take place for 2 new independent mental health lived experience peaks. The co-design process will involve sector experts and people with lived and living experience of mental ill-health, including families, carers and kin.

This process will build on previous work, including the work led by the National Mental Health Commission.

The Australian Centre for Social Innovation is leading and facilitating workshops with lived experience participants as part of the co-design process.

For information on the co-design process visit The Australian Centre for Social Innovation’s National Peaks Project Hub.

Get involved

There are also two open submission processes, including:

  • one for the consumer peak body
  • one for the families, carers, and kin peak body.

These consultations are now available on the Consultation Hub. Submissions are open until Friday 27 October 2023. For more information and to share your thoughts, visit:

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