Jacqui
Hello. Maggie and I look forward to speaking to you about the launch of our foundational Lived Experience plan.
But first, I would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission conduct our work.
We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea, sky, water and community. We pay our respect to Elders past and present...
we'd also like to recognise that sovereignty was never ceded, and it always was, and always will be Aboriginal land.
Maggie
We also recognise people with lived experiences of mental and emotional distress as consumers, family members, carers and kin, including those who have gone before us or are no longer with us.
It is only by being informed and driven by the voices, collective experience, and wisdom of those with lived experience that we can create meaningful change.
Maggie
We're really happy to share our new Lived Experience Plan for 2025 to 2028
We talk to people using the mental health system - consumers, carers, families, supporters and kin - every day.
And this plan?
It is our commitment to use what they tell us, to improve the system.
We want lived experience to be at the heart of everything we do.
The plan is roadmap that will make sure that we have the right goals,
functions and actions in place to elevate lived experience representation and leadership,
so that we can create positive, genuine and lasting change to Victoria' s mental health and wellbeing system.
We have been very fortunate to have co-produced the plan with people with lived experience and sector partners.
Jacqui
This plan is grounded in the belief that every person receiving mental health care has the right to lead their recovery and treatment.
It champions the diverse experiences and expertise of people with lived experience as well as the vision of Victoria's Mental Health Royal Commission.
It is a commitment to everyone in the community,
to ensure that lived experience expertise informs and permeates every every space, setting and every piece of work,
including mental health governance, policy, and service delivery.
Maggie
It outlines how we’ll get there - by building real partnerships with diverse communities, developing models and training materials, monitoring system-wide implementation and holding government to account.
By ensuring that the voices of lived experience lead the way in decision-making we want to tackle the systemic barriers that come in the way of an inclusive, equitable and culturally safe system.
It is our key next step towards shifting power in the mental health and wellbeing system and placing it more firmly in the hands of the people who use it.
And we are proud to be taking it.
Jacqui
We are excited to be working with our consumers, carers and sector partners, to deliver this plan over the next four years.
Without them, we cannot transform the system. So lets get on with the work. To read the plan, please visit our website.
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