Supporting Neurodivergent Youth
A free 3-hour workshop which aims to build the knowledge and skills of adults to support young people who have ‘diverse’ abilities and different experiences of the world (e.g. autism,…
Northern Territory
Lived Experience Network
A collective and independent voice for people with lived experience of issues related to mental distress, trauma, suicide and addiction in the Northern Territory. People with lived experience hold vital knowledge about what is needed from the system, both for individual care and at broader levels.
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Our Programs
All our workshops and programs are free of charge, but registration is essential.
For more information see Programs & Workshops or contact us.
Recovery Together
Darwin | Katherine | Alice Springs
A free peer education and recovery program for people who experience mental health, alcohol, drug or related issues.
Click below to find out more and to register for upcoming programs.
Circles of Support
Darwin | Katherine | Alice Springs
A free support program for family & friends of people who have an alcohol or drug problem. A safe and confidential space for family members or friends to access both support and information.
Empowering Youth
Greater Darwin & Katherine
For neurodivergent young people aged 12-17, including those who may be on the autism spectrum, have ADHD, sensory processing needs, or who have experienced challenges that affect their wellbeing.
Workshops & Training
Ready Together - workshop series
Join a free peer education and recovery program for individuals facing mental health/AOD challenges and seeking employment. This program is designed to build strengths, values, and networks for success.
Promoting Wellbeing
A 2-hour workshop that provides an overview evidence-based non-clinical recovery models and strategies that can be applied to strengthen your own mental health and wellbeing. Suitable for all members of…
Hope for Recovery
Understanding the impact of Mental Health & Addiction on Individuals and their Families. Free 1-hour workshop series presenting evidence-based information from the lived experience perspective about mental ill-health, addiction and…
Growing Stronger
A peer support program where participants explore non-clinical strategies to strengthen their mental health and wellbeing through discussions and creative activities. Suitable for people who experiences challenges impacting their mental…
Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work
A nationally accredited vocational training program for individuals and family/kin of people with lived experience of mental ill-health and related issues including problematic alcohol, drug and gambling issues. Peer Workers…
Looking for customised training?
We offer tailored workshops and professional development to organisations on a fee-for-service basis. Contact us regarding your needs.
Our Network
'Living' and 'Lived'
We recognise that for many people, their experience is ongoing. We recognise that for others, their experience is in the past. We include people with both 'living' and 'lived' experience.
Caring for Family
We include family and friends who provide care and support. We recognise that people who provide care and support may also experience issues related to mental distress, trauma, suicide and addiction.
Whole Person
We know co-occurring issues related to mental distress, trauma, suicide and addiction are common. We value the lived experience of the whole person.
Why it's important
What the evidence says
Meaningful engagement of people with lived experience of issues related to mental distress, trauma, suicide and addiction is essential to achieving better mental health, social and wellbeing outcomes for all Australians. This is represented in the 32 detailed actions of the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan and by the National Mental Health Commission.
Meeting a need in the NT
All other Australian states and territories have lived experience representative bodies to provide a collective voice for people with lived experience. Our aim is to gather the knowledge, experience and perspectives of Territorians to inform the way the mental health, suicide prevention and alcohol and drug systems and services are planned, developed, delivered and evaluated in the Northern Territory.
Our committment
The NT Lived Experience Network began as a volunteer driven initiative instigated by local people seeking to make meaning and create purpose from their personal experience or experience caring for someone affected by issues related to mental distress, trauma, suicide and addiction. We have received funding to develop and trial our peer programs, however all of our advocacy remains unfunded. We rely on lived experience volunteers and the broader lived experience community to create independant submissions in order to ‘make the system better’.
Our Activity
Upcoming 2024 Programs
The following is taken from our email notification sent out to subscribers on 15 April 2024. If you are not already subscribed to receive our updates you can subscribe here.…
It’s time to establish a NT lived experience representative body
NTLEN is announced as Joint Winners of the Justice category for the 2023 NT Human Rights Awards On Thursday the 7th of December, we were awarded joint winner of Justice…
Survey consultation for the NT Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan
The NT Primary Health Network has created a survey to gather the feedback about the ‘Northern Territory Mental Health and Wellbeing Plan’ (The Plan) from people with lived experience of…
Health Matters Nov 2023
Health Matters is a group-based peer support program that helps you to identify what matters to you and learn strategies to live a meaningful life. it involves 7 short weekly sessions…
Perinatal Lived Experience Opportunity
The NT Health Mental Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch is commencing a project to improve Perinatal Mental Health Screening services in the NT. They are seeking expressions of interest…
Lived Experience Focus Group
Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Unit Summary The NT Government is seeking people with lived experience to inform the design of new mental health facilities at Royal Darwin Hospital. Interested…
