Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland

There is power in our truth-telling

Lived-experience advocates contributing to real systemic change, led by our lived experience of mental illness and suicidality committed to making a difference through our shared experiences, and vision for a better future.

Who are we?

The Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland (MHLEPQ) is the Peak Body for mental health consumers in Queensland. We provide policy advice and systems advocacy for consumers of mental health services of all ages in Queensland.

MHLEPQ defines lived experience as ‘Any Queenslander, 18 years and older, identifying as having a direct personal experience of mental illness and/or direct personal experience of suicidal ideation or surviving a suicide attempt.’

What do we do?

We are here to advocate for and influence systemic change that is guided by our lived experience expertise, with a vision of a mental health system every Queenslander deserves. We embody the principles of equity, access, cultural-safety, and Human Rights, in all our actions, advice, and advocacy.

For all of us, especially those often unseen and unheard. We support those who have been silenced to stand up and speak out through empowerment, support, and connection.

We are here for more than just talk

We take action and contribute to change. We facilitate shared growth and learning opportunities to support and strengthen confidence and comfortability to advocate in our own lives, and systemically.

MHLEPQ a Change and Goodbye
- A Letter from the CEO

After three and a half years of leadership, our CEO, Jorgen Gullestrup, will be moving on in May to take on new challenges. We appreciate his dedication to establishing a strong, independent Peak led by and for people with lived experience.

“Setting a Peak up for and by our members and speaking fearlessly about the things that matter to us has been rewarding and inspiring.”

The Board has begun a careful transition process. We’re pleased to welcome Jordan Frith as the Interim General Manager role, with a part-time Managing Director soon to be appointed. A recruitment process for a new lived experience CEO will follow.

We thank Jorgen, for everything he’s brought to the MHLEPQ.

Jorgen has written a personal letter to our members here.

REPORT ON COERCIVE PRACTICES HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Shining a Light: Eliminating Coercive Practices in Queensland Mental Health Services

Let’s power up the discussion about coercive practices in mental health!

Our recent AGM marked the release of our discussion paper Shining a Light. Our lived experience advisory group, members, staff, and consultants worked hard to bring huge amounts of evidence into 25 recommendations to Commonwealth and State governments in support of eliminating coercive practice in mental health services and beyond. We see a major sea change happening in this area of mental health in 2024. We welcome you to join the campaign!

Human Rights Week

Stand in solidarity for universally experienced Human Rights.

To acknowledge this year’s Queensland Human Rights Week, we invite those with a lived experience of mental ill-health or distress, to ask how their human rights have been impacted via an online survey.

We want to hear about how human rights-based approaches have respected, protected, and promoted people’s dignity, as well as times when people’s inalienable rights to mental health have been breached. Your experiences may have been in the mental health system, but also in justice, health, or other social sectors.

Join the MHLEPQ as Lived Experienced Members
or as a Friend of the Peak

Queenslanders with a lived experience can join our
community by becoming a Member.

Any Queenslander, 18 years and older, identifying as having a direct personal experience of mental illness and/or direct personal experience of suicidal ideation or surviving a suicide attempt can become a member and help build a community of empowered advocates, leading systemic change.

Become a Friend of the Peak - Change takes all of us

Friends of the Peak receive regular updates and information from the MHLEPQ. Our stakeholders, allies, and community members, all play an important role in mental health advocacy.