WAPSN Conference 2024 Presentation on Lived Experience Leadership | Michael Elwan

I had the opportunity to present at the WA Peer Supporters’ Network (WAPSN) Conference 2024, an event that strongly highlighted the value of peer support, mental health advocacy, and lived experience leadership. The passion and commitment to transforming mental health services were unmistakable.

In my presentation, I explored how lived experience can shape the future of mental health systems - not only as insight, but as leadership. I spoke about the importance of structured support, dedicated training, and meaningful recognition for peer workers, and why the peer workforce must be both valued and empowered.

Throughout the conference, one message stood out: peer work is not simply helpful; it is essential. If we are serious about reform, we must invest in the lived experience workforce and place peer supporters at the forefront of mental health improvement and community care.

Through Lived Experience Solutions (LEXs), I continue this mission by offering peer work supervision, training, therapy, and consultancy to help individuals and organisations build systems that are person-centred, inclusive, and grounded in lived experience.

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.