Lived Experience Lead | Kaiarahi Wheako Ora, Wellington City Locality
What drives your passion for advancing the lived experience voice?
When I was first diagnosed with PTSD in the 1990’s, I was asked whether I would prefer to see a psychologist or if I thought medication might be the best solution. I opted for talking therapy. Being given that choice made all the difference to my recovery and my life.
People whose choice is taken away by the mental health system are often harmed by that loss of autonomy. Often their response to that harm is then pathologised and the harm is compounded with further restriction and control, which is experienced as punishment. That is such a contrast to the choice I was given and what that enabled me to achieve.
I’m driven by compassion for the mamae that people’s lives bring to them and want to change how we respond to their distress, so our response is helpful, and does no harm.
What opportunities do you see for this role to advance the lived experience voice in MHAIDS services?
It’s important to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and dedication that kaimahi have shown, and make sure that looking for improvement in practice and changes in attitudes is seen as a positive step forward rather than as criticism.
With new Lived Experience and Peer roles joining teams, things are in a state of flux, and that creates an opportunity for change. As new energy and thinking disrupts what has become the norm, integrating lived experience can be a part of what emerges.
I’m in the process of learning and building relationships with staff and tāngata whaiora. Listening to what people think is needed and applying my own knowledge to how we can implement that change is the next step.
One way of getting to what’s most important will be to talk to people who are already providing feedback, and asking them to consider other aspects of what needs to change, as well as getting the views of people who aren’t coming forward.
What led you to this role?
I’ve worked in and around the mental health sector in Wellington since 2003. Most of my career has been in NGO management or advisory roles and all of it has been in roles supporting people who use MHAIDS services.
Alongside that I’ve been involved in systemic advocacy as Chair of Balance Aotearoa, a disabled people’s organisation focused on mental health, that works with government to advance equity for disabled people. Human rights are the foundation of that work, and I saw this role as one where I could get involved in advancing rights and equity in the way that we manage services.
What are you looking forward to in this role?
I’m looking forward to a time when we have a regular, robust, and responsive process for understanding what people using our services say needs to change, making those changes, and checking back that what we’ve done is working.
I’m looking forward to exploring how we can improve equity for Māori by giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and making our spaces and services more welcoming for everyone through tika, pono, aroha, and manaakitanga.
I’m looking forward to tāngata whaiora genuinely being heard and responded to in ways that work for them, recovering and reciprocating the learning they experience here, and recommending our services to others when they need help.
As well as my own life experience, an inspiration for me to undertake this role is those who have walked the path before me and are no longer with us. My dear friends and mentors Monica Cartner, Te Wera Kotua, and Annie Helm, this is for you.
