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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

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Time For Change

Keynote presentation at the International eMental Health Forum. 


Keynote University Lived Experience Leadership
Mental Health
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Going Home - Better Ways To Leave Hospital

What happens when people leave a psychiatric ward? How can they best be supported to transition back home and live well? This was the focus of the 'Exit And Recovery' project I led for community peer support service and its local health provider.  

Service Design Service Provider Community
Mental Health Homelessness Addiction Social Inclusion
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Lived Experience Advisor Roles in Health

One of the most encouraging signs of change has been the increase of lived experience roles within health. But we're still figuring out how they can best contribute to a better health system and support the individuals employed and the workforce as a whole. 

I led this project to help inpatient and outpatient services at a hospital redesign their advisory roles in consultation with community organisations.   

Service Provider Community Lived Experience Leadership
Mental Health Addictions
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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
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Reinventing Helpines for the Digital Age

Reaching out for help can be a huge threshold to cross and helplines can help those who can't or don't want to visit a mental health or social service. I was privileged to be Lifeline's first national manager to bring together over a dozen silo'd services into one cohesive platform of helping and online support.  

Service Provider Service Design Digital Government
Anxiety Depression Suicide Prevention Mental Health Addiction
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Gareth Edwards © 2006-2019