• About
  • Portfolio
  • Services
  • Supervision
  • Contact

Suicide Prevention Strategy

New Zealand is well known for its struggles with suicide, especially amongst indigenous Māori and young people. I was privileged to be the first lived experience member on the Ministry of Health Suicide Prevention Task Force to help develop the first Suicide Prevention Strategy.   

GovernmentLived Experience Leadership

Suicide Prevention

More Case Studies

Time For Change

Keynote presentation at the International eMental Health Forum. 


Keynote University Lived Experience Leadership
Mental Health
More Info

University Challenged - Lived Experience In Academia

How do we best bring lived experience into university research? I was the first 'Consumer/Service User Researcher' at the University of Auckland and sat on the Medical and Health Sciences Faculty Advisory Committee where I provided strategic and operational guidance. I also helped established and keynoted the first Service Users Academic Symposium.

Research University Lived Experience Leadership
Mental Health Addictions Social Inclusion
More Info

Warmline - A Different Kind of Helpline

It's well known that people often struggle the most when traditional mental health services are closed for anything except crisis situations. Evenings and weekends are when a simple chat can help if people are feeling unsettled and prevent things getting worse. I was privileged to put together the first professional Warmline as a peer support helpline service.  

Service Provider Digital Lived Experience Leadership
Mental Health Anxiety Depression Suicide Prevention
More Info

Reducing Stigma and Discrimination

A big part of the change many of us want to see is a more inclusive society. By reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness, the potential for recovery and integration is enhanced. I was strategic advisor to the governments development of our national plan to work towards this. 

Government Lived Experience Leadership
NonDiscrimination Social Inclusion Mental Health
More Info

Can I Bring My Cat? Mental Health Housing

"I wouldn't have come if I couldn't bring my cats. Nothing comes between me and my cats." Research Participant. 

I was lead researcher for this project exploring the perspectives from residents and staff at different providers. 

Research University Community Service Provider Lived Experience Leadership
Homelessness Mental Health Addiction Social Inclusion
More Info

Gareth Edwards © 2006-2019