Lived experience is the knowledge and understanding you get when you have lived through something.

When we talk about people with lived experience, we mean people who have a lived or living experience of mental ill health (sometimes called consumers) and family or friends supporting someone who have a lived or living experience of mental ill health (sometimes called carers).

Some people may have a lived or living experience of both mental ill health and substance use issues or have supported someone who has a lived or living experience of both mental ill health and substance use issues.

At Eastern Health we employ people who use their lived experience to support the recovery of Eastern Health consumers and the families/carers who support them.

Consumer Support – Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
VMIAC is the peak Victorian organisation for people with a lived experience of mental health or emotional challenges.

Carer Support – Tandem
Tandem is the Victorian peak body representing family and friends supporting people living with mental health issues

Self Help Addiction Resource
Centre (SHARC)

Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) promotes self-help approaches to recovery from severe alcohol and drug related issues.

Centre for Mental Health Learning (CMHL)
The Centre for Mental Health Learning (CMHL) is the central agency for public mental health workforce development in Victoria.