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A National Strategy for Lived-Experience in Mental Health Research

To address capabilities needs, career pathways, conditions in research organisations and identify lived-experience approaches and practices for research integration

We are pleased to share that the journey toward A National Strategy for Lived-Experience in Mental Health Research to address capabilities needs, career pathways, conditions in research organisations and identify lived-experience approaches and practices for research integration has begun.

The strategy development stages and steps following input from our Lived-Experience Research Collective members at their gathering are as follows:

  • Mapping landscape (Jul 2023 – Jul 2026)
    • The Long Conversation Flagship – the who, what, when and how of lived-experience researchers nationally (survey and creative outputs)
    • Review of published literature on lived-experience in mental health research (processes, practices and principles)
    • Review of policies at national level relevant to supporting growth and development of lived-experience in mental health research
  • Public Co-Design (Apr 2026 – Aug 2026)
    • Typology sharing and expansion of the principles, processes, practices for lived-experience in mental health research
    • Public Co-Design with lived-experience researchers for shaping typology and expansions
    • Findings from TLC survey inform co-design and typology development
  • Strategy Development (May 2026 – Nov 2026)
    • Engagement with organisations and people working with lived-experience researchers using a variety of methods (exploring the challenges, barriers and enablers to fostering lived-experience research workforce) across research settings.
    • What is the state of play nationally for support of lived-experience researchers in universities/research institutes and centres and in organisations engaged in research? Where are the gaps, what are the barriers and what capabilities development is needed at the macro (policy), meso (organisational) and micro (community/individual) levels?
  • Draft to Final Strategy Release (Nov 2026)
    • Draft strategic framework for community consultation
    • Updated framework
    • Refinement of strategy and implementation guide
    • Final strategy released for implementation

 

Join here

ALIVE Next Generation Researcher Network Application Form  Click here
For University based research higher degree students, early/mid-career mental health researchers

ALIVE Lived Experience Research Collective Application Form  Click here
For University and community based lived-experience or carer-focused mental health researchers at all career stages

ALIVE Collective Application Form  Click here
For any individuals or organisations with a general interest in supporting the special initiative in mental health

ALIVE Implementation and Translation Network (ITN) Application Form  Click here
For sector, service delivery organisations in mental health serving people across the life course and priority populations

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