Lived Experience Advisory Group
Everymind recognises the importance of ensuring our work is informed by the knowledge and insights of people who have lived and living experience of mental health concerns, alcohol and other drug concerns and suicidal thoughts and behaviours. This includes those who have first-hand experience as well as family, friends and caregivers. We also acknowledge that people may not use this language to describe their own experience.
At Everymind, our Lived Experience Advisory Group provide valuable insight and advice to inform the work that we do.
Members
Melanie Jorgensen (she/her)
Lived Experience Advisory Group Member
Elliot Waters (he/him)
Lived Experience Advisory Group Member
Kara Baragwanath (she/her)
Lived Experience Advisory Group Member
Jess Wilcox (she/her)
Lived Experience Advisory Group Member
Melanie Clark (she/her)
Lived Experience Advisory Group Member
Nicholas Bloom (he/him)
Lived Experience Advisory Group Member
Megan Barrow (she/her)
Lived Experience Advisory Group Member
Jon Eddy (he/him)
Lived Experience Advisory Group Member
John Shearer (he/him)
Lived Experience Advisory Group Member
Esther Mckay (she/her)
Lived Experience Advisory Group Member
At Everymind, we define lived and living experience as:
- Someone with personal experience of mental health concerns, alcohol and other drug concerns, distress, trauma and suicidal behaviours (including suicidal thoughts, suicidal distress and suicide attempts)
- Family and friends (including carers, colleagues, and community members) who have personal experience in supporting someone who is experiencing, or has experienced, mental health concerns, alcohol and other drug concerns and suicidal thoughts and behaviours
- Someone who has been affected or bereaved by suicide (can include family, friends, first responders, workers and community members).
We recognise that people may identify as having more than one lived and living experience. We also acknowledge and respect that there are other definitions of lived and living experience that some people and communities may prefer.