Wellbeing and equity

What we may talk about

Taking part in this project means valuing lived and living experiences, particularly of those who have had the least decision-making power in their supports and outcomes. The nature of this also means that we talk about some tough stuff, stuff that people don’t usually talk about because it’s uncomfortable for some. Be aware that while we will all do our best to create environments for safe sharing and healthy challenge of views, you may hear about things that you have expected or unexpected reactions to. This could include:

• Personal stories of mental health crisis and suicidality

• Differing perspectives on the best approach

• Social, emotional, community and medical models of care

• People who hold roles or perspectives that you’ve had negative experiences with in the past

This is why it’s so important for us to think about keeping ourselves and others safe and well at every stage of the process. You may find the following helpful whilst respecting your autonomy.

Self care

You know yourself best. We aim to always provide information that will help you take care of yourself and make decisions that will help keep you safe. There will be no judgement of decisions to change how you take part to actively take care of yourself, e.g. if you need to leave mid-session or turn your video off we may check you’re ok and offer support but trust that you’re doing what you need to do.

If you have a trusted person (friend, family, professional) who you feel comfortable talking to about your experience and mental wellbeing we would encourage you to share what’s on your mind with them too.

We may invite everyone to create a Safety Plan for themselves. This is a tool within the Sanctuary® Model, it involves us writing down five things helpful for people to do in a moment of stress or distress to take care of themselves.

Care for others

It’s our group responsibility to make commitments to each other’s safety. We will establish these together, but will cover foundations such as:

• Valuing lived experience and diverse worldviews

• Being mindful of others when sharing lived experience

• Genuinely listening, being open minded

• Discriminatory behaviour will be named and responded to

• We ask you to do what you need to do to keep yourself safe

Each workshop will have people in designated lived and living experience peer roles present. They will be there for you before, during and post each workshop if you wish to leave the space and connect with a person through trust, equality, shared understanding, respect and mutual support between people in similar situations.  

Their names and contact details will be shared with everyone before the first session.

All engagement in this project will include:

• Paying you for your time

• Mental health and cultural safety support

• The option to bring along a support person

• Accurate use of your pronouns and name

• An interpreter upon request

• Multiple ways of contributing to suit you

When we meet online:

• Live Closed Captions as needed

• Regular breaks, and as needed

• Shorter sessions 

If there is anything not listed here that would help you fully participate in this project, please contact Carla Clarence from TACSI on 0404 196 646.

At the beginning of the first online session, TACSI facilitators will support the group to co-create group commitments. These will be the agreements we make with each other to support all people and the process.  Example group commitments may involve things such as:

• Honouring the history and the work done to date and equally the future ideas to come

• Being self aware, present and supportive of others

• Avoiding being bogged down by too much detail and focus more of the higher purpose of the Peak Bodies