ACT Mental Health Consumer Network Inc.

19/05/2026

Are you a fiction reader with lived experience of obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Researchers at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) are interested in any fictional portrayals of obsessive-compulsive disorder you’ve come across (‘OCD fiction’) and what it was like for you to read them.

This research is being undertaken as part of a UniSQ Master of Editing and Publishing. You’re invited to contribute via a voluntary, anonymous online survey.

To learn more, access the survey and/or get in touch with the research team, head to https://redcap.unisq.edu.au/surveys/?s=DAD99DDWLHT3Y3EY

12/05/2026

⏰️ REMINDER⏰️

Are you a consumer with lived experience of mental health challenges?

We’re seeking participants for deliberative polling and deep dive interviews about the next National Mental Health and Su***de Prevention Agreement (2027–2032).

By sharing what has worked for you, who provided it, how it was funded, and why it mattered, you can help create a system that better supports people and communities.

You can find more information and submit an EOI via the link in the comments.

12/05/2026

Our Consumer-Led Conversations series continues this May, showcasing lived experience expertise.

This month, we’ll be hearing from the LELAN Affinity Group & Consumer Advisory Group.

RSVP to join us live on Tuesday, 26 May, 5pm-6pm AEST. Link in the comments.

SA Lived Experience Leadership & Advocacy Network

12/05/2026

The next National Mental Health and Su***de Prevention Agreement (2027–2032) is currently being developed. It guides how governments work together to deliver mental health and harm reductions in su***de prevention supports and services.

We’re inviting people with lived experience of mental health challenges to share whether the current Agreement has delivered safe, effective, available mental health services and supports.

The survey is based five on key outcome areas:
❇️ Consumer goals, rights, and equity
❇️ Prevention and early support
❇️ Integrated Supports
❇️ System sustainability and performance
❇️ Transparency and Accountability

Your insights will help shape our advocacy to government.

Please take 20 minutes to participate. You can find more information and take the survey via the link in the comments.

12/05/2026

Today we’re announcing the establishment of the Australian Association of Peer Workers, in partnership with the Indigenous Australian Lived Experience Centre (IALEC) and Mental Health Carers Australia (MHCA).

The new Association will be a peer-worker led, democratic national body representing mental health, su***de prevention, family/carer/kin and First Nations peer workers.

We commend the Australian Government for delivering on its commitment in the 2024–25 Budget to provide one-off seed funding of $4.345 million over three years.

We expect to be fully operational early in the 2026–27 financial year, and you can visit our website for more details, including the proposed initial work program and FAQs — link in the comments.

12/05/2026

As the Network is not undertaking this recruitment, please see the original post National Mental Health Consumers Alliance or email admin@nmhca.org.au to apply.

The National Mental Health Consumer Alliance (NMHCA) is Australia’s national voice for people with lived experience of mental health challenges.

We are establishing the Australian Association of Peer Workers (AAPW) — a new national membership body dedicated to strengthening, supporting and advocating for the mental health and su***de prevention peer workforce across Australia.

NMHCA is now seeking an inaugural General Manager to establish and lead the Association from inception through to independence.

This is a rare, greenfield opportunity to build an organisation from the ground up — shaping its strategy, culture, governance and national profile.

Alongside the NMHCA’s CEO and Board, the General Manager will recruit and lead a small, high performing team of peer workers, deliver significant grant funded outcomes, grow a national membership base, and represent the peer workforce at the highest levels of government and the sector.

The General Manager will report to the NMHCA’s CEO, but as the Association matures, the role is expected to transition into the Chief Executive Officer of the independent organisation.

The is a full-time, designated lived experience role within a remote / virtual workplace.

If you’re interested, please find more information and apply via the link in the comments.

29/04/2026

ℹ️ In 2025, CHN conducted a survey to better understand the needs of our veterans when accessing health care. Our survey findings showed that mental health was a critical area of concern. Building on this feedback, we would like to understand what has improved in mental health, what challenges remain and where support is needed.

📈 Responses will help future service planning and improvements, ensuring mental health care services are more accessible, coordinated and responsive to veterans in the ACT.

🗣️ Visit MySay, CHN's community engagement tool, to have your say now: mysay.chnact.org.au.

29/04/2026

The Network and the Mental Health Community Coalition of the ACT have issued a joint statement regarding the serious incident at Canberra Hospital’s emergency department on 22 April 2026.

As peak bodies representing mental health consumers and community organisations in the ACT, we are deeply concerned about staff and consumer safety, the persistence of known infrastructure and procedural issues, and the broader system pressures that contribute to these incidents.

Our statement acknowledges the impact on staff, supports a thorough review, and calls for urgent action on workplace safety alongside sustained investment in community-based supports. It also stresses the importance of careful and accurate public discussion that does not add to stigma for people experiencing mental distress.

You can read this statement at https://tinyurl.com/3xyfzse8

Please contact the Network or Mental Health Community Coalition ACT if you would like to discuss this further

09/04/2026

Hear from our Consumer Advisory Group at this monthly Conversation

Missed the last webinar in our Consumer-Led Conversations series?

No problem! You can watch the full conversation via the link in the comments.

The conversation brought together Consumer Advisory Groups from Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland, ACT Mental Health Consumer Network Inc., BEING - Mental Health Consumers Ltd.

Each month, we’ll cover new topics, hearing from Advisory and Affinity groups across the mental health consumer movement.

If you’re interested in joining us for the next webinar on Tuesday, 28 April, 4pm-5pm AEST, you can RSVP and find out more via the link in the comments.

09/04/2026

A reminder that our 5 part Self-Advocacy training workshops will be starting next week. If you would like to begin finding your voice and learning to speak up for yourself more confidently, there's still time to register at https://tinyurl.com/Self-Advocacy-Introduction

09/04/2026

Latest Network Navigator e-bulletin available at https://tinyurl.com/Network-Navigator