Time For Change
Keynote presentation at the International eMental Health Forum.
Keynote presentation at the International eMental Health Forum.
Keynote presentation at the International eMental Health Forum.
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.
The growing concern about the number of homeless young people prompted this service to develop a specific service to support them off the streets. I led the evaluation of this innovative pilot which included a review of utilisation stats and interviews with clients, staff and stakeholders in key youth-support agencies.
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.
"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.