Psychosocial Hazards Of The Mental Health And Suicidality Lived Experience Peer Workforces MHLEPQ And QLEWN Project ​

Project Focus Groups

What we are doing
We are conducting qualitative research on the psychosocial hazards experienced by Consumer Lived Experience (Peer) Workers within the mental health and suicidality sectors in Queensland.
This will include reviewing the existing literature, co-designing, and conducting a State-wide survey, focus groups and co-production of case studies of Consumer Lived Experience (Peer) workers.
It will also provide a Lived Experience (Peer) perspective on ways to improve and manage the identified psychosocial workplace hazards.
The result will be a Lived Experience informed position paper, that will contribute to mentally healthier workplaces.

Contact Person
Amanda Habermann, Project Lead
Email: [email protected]
Or join their networks at:
www.QLEWN.com.au or www.mhlepq.org.au

Who can be involved?

Mental Health and suicidality Lived Experience Peer Workers working in Queensland over the age of 18.

Ways to be involved.

Express your interest in participating in a focus group (online or in-person during October)
Complete the online State-wide survey (coming soon)
Contribute a case study to highlight successful psychosocial support for Lived Experience workforce (November)

FOCUS GROUP INFORMATION

Three focus groups for the PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDALITY LIVED EXPERIENCE PEER WORKFORCES project will occur in October 2023. One will be face to face, and two online (one after hours, the other for rural, regional, and remote participants).

The criteria to attend focus groups include:

1. Face to Face focus group Monday 16th October 9:30-12:30pm MHLEPQ Office Shop 4, 67 Astor Tce (in the Arcade), Spring Hill Qld

• A current Lived Experience Peer Worker working from a Consumer perspective in mental health/suicidality in QLD.
• Over the age of 18.
• Commitment to reading the pre reading material (approx. 30 min) prior to the focus group.
• Commitment to attending the face-to-face focus group or advising if you will be an apology.
• Approval from your employer to attend during work hours or attend in your own time. (See below FAQ for non-Lived Experience workforce managers)

2. Online focus group Rural, Regional and Remote Tuesday 24th October 1-3pm

• A current Lived Experience Peer Worker working from a Consumer perspective in mental health/suicidality in QLD.
• Over the age of 18
• Commitment to reading the pre reading material. (approx. 30 min) prior to the focus group.
• Commitment to attending the designated focus group or advising if you will be an apology.
• Approval from your employer to attend during work hours or attend in your own time. (See below FAQ for non-Lived Experience workforce managers)
• Be familiar with Zoom technology and confident in your ability to use video conferencing.
• Live and work in a rural, regional or remote area of QLD.

3. Online focus group After Hours Thursday 26th October 6-8pm

• A current Lived Experience Peer Worker working from a Consumer perspective in mental health/suicidality in QLD.
• Over the age of 18
• Commitment to reading the pre reading material. (approx. 30 min) prior to the focus group.
• Commitment to attending the designated focus group or advising if you will be an apology.
• Be familiar with Zoom technology and confident in your ability to use video conferencing.

Forms to claim sitting fees will be provided with instructions from QLEWN at your focus group.

Please email your expression of interest to attend one of the above focus groups confirming you meet the above criteria to [email protected] and the project lead will be in touch. Limited spaces available at each focus group.

FAQ FOR NON-LIVED EXPERIENCE WORKFORCE MANAGERS

Why is this project happening?
The Mental Health Select Committee of the 57th Parliament was established by the Queensland Legislative Assembly on 2 December 2021 to conduct an Inquiry into the Opportunities to Improve Mental Health Outcomes for Queenslanders and report back to the House.

This inquiry highlighted a need for better support for peer workers and recognition of the workplace hazards faced by peer workers including stress and moral injury.

The project aims to identify the unique workplace psychosocial hazards of the Consumer Mental Health and Suicidality Lived Experience Peer Workforce working in Queensland’s health system.

Findings will also provide a Lived Experience (Peer) perspective on ways to improve and manage the identified psychosocial workplace hazards.

What is the scope of this project?
The scope of work is state-wide and will incorporate public mental health sectors and priority groups that will be defined in consultation with the Project Team. The position statement will provide further guidance and information for employers to create mentally healthier workplaces.

Can my Carer/Family/Kin or AOD Lived Experience Peer Workers be involved in this project?
This project does not include carer/family/kin or Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) Lived Experience Peer Worker perspectives. We are hopeful that future projects will include other valuable Lived Experience worker perspectives, subject to resourcing for further phases of the project.

How can I support this project?
Your organisation can support this project by circulating information about the project to your Consumer Lived Experience (Peer) workforce. If your staff member requests to attend a focus group during work hours, your encouragement and permission for them to attend shows your support. Having a discussion with your Lived Experience staff about what they feel could make their workplace mentally healthier.

Who can I contact to find out more information?

The project is a partnership between Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland (MHLEPQ) and the Queensland Lived Experience Workforce Network (QLEWN).
You can Contact Project Lead Amanda Habermann [email protected] or Jorgen Gullestrup CEO MHLEPQ [email protected] or QLEWN Management Committee on [email protected]