Circles of Support
Circles of Support is a free support program for the family & friends of people who have an alcohol or drug problem. Read on to find out what’s in the…
Northern Territory
Lived Experience Network
Our vision is to provide a collective and independent voice for people with lived experience of issues related to mental illness and suicide 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.
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 mental illness, suicide and related issues.
Whole Person
We know co-occurring issues related to trauma, alcohol and other drug use are common. We value the lived experience of the whole person. We include people with lived experience of trauma and alcohol and other drug use.
Why it's important
What the evidence says
Meaningful engagement of people with lived experience of suicide, mental illness and related issues is essential to achieving better mental health 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 a lived experience network to provide a collective voice for people with lived experience. Our aim is to gather the knowledge and experience of Territorians to inform the way mental health and suicide prevention services are planned, developed, delivered and evaluated in the Northern Territory.
Our committment
The NT Lived Experience Network is a volunteer driven initiative instigated by local people. Our volunteers have sought to make meaning and create purpose from their personal experience or experience caring for someone affected by issues related to mental illness, suicide, trauma or alcohol and other drug use. Our volunteers and members share a desire to use their knowledge and experience to ‘make the system better’.
Our Activity
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…
Empowering YOUTH Program
Are you a young person aged 12 to 17?Do you have diverse abilities and like trying new things?Do you like having fun and meeting new people?Register here to attend the…
June 2021 Newsletter
Our June 2021 Newsletter is out. Click on the link below to see what we have been up to. NTLEN Newsletter – June 2021 Click on the ‘subscribe’ button at…
Submission for the Review of the NT Mental Health Act
The NT Lived Experience Network has made an independent submission to the NT Government for the review of the NT Mental Health and Related Services Act (1998). Our submission was…
May Newsletter
Our May 2021 Newsletter is out. Click on the link below to see what we have been up to. NTLEN Newsletter – May 2021 Click on the ‘subscribe’ button at…