The Andrews Labor Government is being guided by Victorians with lived and living experience working in mental health and wellbeing, inviting them to participate in a survey that will help shape and improve services across the state.

The Lived and Living Experience Workforces Employee Survey will gather information from workers about barriers and attitudes they find challenging in the workplace and is part of the Labor Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, to ensure lived experience is a central pillar of the future mental health system.

Building a strong and supported workforce is key to effectively reforming Victoria’s mental health system, and the results from this survey will inform the Labor Government on how services can attract, support and retain these workforces, who we know play such an important role in ensuring the best quality care.

The survey is open to employees in designated lived or living experience roles in mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) and harm reduction services until 10 June 2022 and participation is voluntary, and anonymous. Organisations that employ lived and living experience workforces will participate in a separate survey.

The Government has invested more than $600 million in the mental health workforce to create more than 2,500 new workers in the system – delivering on the Royal Commission’s vision of a larger and highly skilled mental health workforce.

This investment includes professional development grants, scholarships for tertiary qualifications, funding for peak mental health bodies to employ lived experience leads and adding the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work to the free TAFE list.

This year’s Budget funding of $1.3 billion for new initiatives means work is underway on more than 90 per cent of recommendations from the Royal Commission and builds on last year’s record investment of $3.8 billion.

To participate please visit artdconsultants.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8GoVWS2VlEal1L8

Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health James Merlino

“The voices of lived and living experience workers are key in transforming our system. Listening and being responsive to these workforces will help us build a better mental health and wellbeing system for all Victorians.”

“The Royal Commission into mental health recommended transformational sector reform – asking our workers for their experiences is the first step in delivering this for Victorians.”

“A robust and resilient mental health and wellbeing system is founded on the workforce having our full support, which ultimately translates to all Victorians receiving the treatment, care and support they need.”