A peak body is a non-government organisation that represents the interests of a specific part of the population, or sector, at the national level. A peak body might provide advocacy or contribute to research and policy development on behalf of its members. A peak body provides a clear pathway for Government to engage with and learn from the people most affected by policies and programs. 

The creation of the mental health lived experience peak bodies will enable Government to work better with people with lived or living experiences of mental ill-health to drive effective reforms and improve outcomes for the Australian community. 

As noted in the Productivity Commission’s Final Report in its Inquiry into Mental Health, it is important that both consumer and carer voices are clearly heard in all aspects of mental health reform. However, many people who are users of mental health services and supports, or who have mental health needs but do not seek formal supports, do not think of themselves as ‘consumers’ but their voices still need to be heard and valued. 1

The Department chooses to adopt a broad definition of mental health ‘consumer’, to encourage all people who self-identify as having a lived or living experience of mental ill-health, who believe that a mental lived experience (consumer) peak should represent them, to share their views on how it is set up. We suggest lived or living experience of mental ill-health as an individual or ‘consumer’ could include (but is not limited to): 

• Experiencing mental health problems or emotional distress 

• Having accessed, seeking to access, or tried to access but been unable to do so, clinical and/or community mental health services 

• Living with and/or experiencing the social and human rights impact of living with mental illness

• having experienced life-altering mental health challenges. 

These experiences may be short- or long-term, in the past or ongoing. They do not require a formal diagnosis. Importantly, we recognise that ‘lived or living experience’ does not mean the same thing to everyone, and that different people and communities may understand mental health and ill-health differently. 

We also acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experience of mental health is unique. We adopt the Black Dog Institute Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre’s definition that “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”. 2  

As noted in the Productivity Commission’s Final Report in its Inquiry into Mental Health, it is important that both consumer and carer voices are clearly heard in all aspects of mental health reform. However, people who provide support to others do not always think of themselves as ‘carers’ but their voices still need to be heard and valued. 3

We suggest ‘lived or living’ experience of mental ill-health as a family member, carer or kin could include (but is not limited to): 

• providing support to a family member, friend or loved one experiencing mental ill-health

• providing emotional and practical support to a person living with mental ill-health within or outside your immediate household

• walking beside someone who is living with and/or experiencing the social and human rights impact of living with mental illness

• having experienced life-altering mental health challenges from the perspective of a family member, carer, supporter or kin. 

These experiences may be short- or long-term, in the past or ongoing. Importantly, we recognise that ‘lived or living experience’ does not mean the same thing to everyone. Different people and communities may understand mental health and ill-health differently, and not all people in care-giving roles will identify themselves as being ‘carers’.

We also acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experience of mental health is unique. We adopt the Black Dog Institute Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre’s definition that “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”. 4   

The experiences of mental health challenges and/or supporting someone experiencing these challenges is deeply personal and unique. There are differing views on whether lived experience speaks mainly of the past and not of potential current and consistent experiences. To this end and to broaden a sense of history, current and future, it seems important to use the language of 'lived/living experiences'.