News
11 December, 2021
Somerset residents wanted for reference group
A NEW community reference group is looking for people with ‘lived’ experience of mental health in the Somerset and Lockyer Valley regions
Adam Dunn, HealthWISE Mental Health Lived Experience Worker, said the group will work in an advisory capacity with the organisation, providing valuable insights into how future services are delivered.
The Darling Downs West Moreton Primary Health Network is responsible for the group, including providing funding, which will work in an advisory capacity with the organisation, providing valuable insights into how future services are delivered.
“When it comes to providing services for people, their unique perspective is vital. We’re trying to provide answers, provide ways of giving a hand to people, and those perspectives are vital to do it right,” Mr Dunn said.
“What works in a capital city may not work at all in rural Queensland. What works for one area in South Burnett may not work at all for someone in Cherbourg or in Warwick.”
Mr Dunn said the participants in the group must have personally interacted with the Queensland mental health system, including primary mental health, and be willing to discuss their insights.
“Unique experiences can inform how we support people, how we do what we do in a way that actually works for people and not what we think works for people.”
Starting in mid-December 2021, the group will meet over Zoom four times a year for 1-2 hours.
Discussions will help guide the HealthWISE Lived Experience Program, funded by Darling Downs West Moreton PHN, which reaches people in Ipswich, the Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Kingaroy, Cherbourg, Warwick and Stanthorpe.
To find out more about the group, including nominating as a participant, call Adam on 3050 4438 or email mentalhealth@healthwise.org.au.
