Strengthening Australia’s Lived Experience Workforce | Michael Elwan

I’m excited to share a powerful and insightful webinar I recently contributed to: “Building a Strong Mental Health Lived Experience Workforce Through National Connection” hosted by HealthWork International and The Allied Health Academy.

This conversation connects closely to my ongoing work at Lived Experience Solutions (LEXs), where I advocate for the growth, sustainability, and professionalisation of the lived experience workforce across Australia.

The webinar explored the crucial roles lived experience professionals play across the mental health sector; from peer support and systems advocacy to co-design and service transformation. It also highlighted the challenges faced by peer workers, particularly in regional and underserved communities, including the need for:

• stronger national networking and infrastructure

• structured, accessible, and relevant training

• sustainable employment and leadership pathways

At LEXs, I remain committed to strengthening Australia’s lived experience workforce by offering therapy, peer work supervision, training, and consultancy services that empower lived experience professionals and embed their expertise in systems that genuinely listen and respond.

Watch the full webinar here: Building a Strong Mental Health Lived Experience Workforce Through National Connection

Based in Perth, WA, LEXs provides telehealth counselling across Australia for individuals, couples, and NDIS participants. Services extend to Social Work supervision, Peer Work supervision, training, and keynote speaking on men’s mental health, CaLD community wellbeing, and culturally responsive suicide prevention; helping people and organisations make mental-health care more compassionate, inclusive, and effective. LEXs provides services across Australia, supporting clients in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and beyond. To learn more about our work across Australia, visit LEXs' services page.