In 2022, we worked with the Brisbane South PHN, Metro South Health, and Addiction and Mental Health Services to design recommendations to better connect mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) systems in the region. Recently, we sat down with two of the project’s lived experience partners Suzana and Grant to reflect on the work and hear their aspirations for the future.
What was most surprising to you about this project?
Grant: It was great how so many different sources of insight were cultivated for the project. This was its strength in my opinion.
As someone who has experienced substance dependency problems as well as mental health challenges, I represented a consumer voice of lived and living experience, along with others.
There were also peer workers available for support: People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations peoples and a number of health professionals. We also got to harvest insights from a carer perspective.
I felt there was great diversity, which has the potential to create a better approach in this important health issue. I have mixed feelings about the mental health system, but I thought the PHN leaders were sincere in trying to create a better and more effective system for everyone. TACSI were excellent in facilitating what was a very constructive dialogue.
Suzana: I encountered the most surprising points in connecting other drugs and alcohol and mental health through co-design, that stemmed from collaboration and participation.
I was surprised to be put forward to participate after only two months into my transition to a healthy lifestyle. The meetings prior to sessions with Senior Social Innovator Leanne McPhee made me feel more valued and respected as a person.
I became heard through the project conversation and was sure I needed to be involved so that these systems could identify the struggles of mental health and alcohol and other drugs, and why it’s so vital for carers to be supported through holistic approaches.
Not only did I reflect on my approach, I got to understand how much physical and mental stress my actions have caused carers, and it also made me reflect on the damage it caused to my family and significant others.
What else has happened for you since this work?
Grant: I haven't been much involved in later work from the project as I am in a different catchment, but I continue to work on other unrelated projects for another organisation.
I am on the Disability Support Pension, so I don't really do a lot of work – partly by choice, partly by circumstance. I did learn from the experience and the opportunity to be involved, so, thanks TACSI.
Suzana: After all the sessions I have encountered, my life has changed. I have become more inspired to do more valuable work, I have built confidence and pride in who I have become and who I was before.
I have become more connected with myself to change others’ perceptions and explain to others the best approaches to move forward. I believe my lived experience is helping others to understand the needs of patients to help them move forward and start their journeys to recovery.
What work do you think needs to happen now to progress the work?
Grant: The project learnings certainly seemed to point in the right direction, but all the good will in the world doesn't mean much if the actions identified as important aren’t carried out. It’s my hope that the key identified actions for improvement will be followed through.
One action in particular that I think would be vital to improving health services would be greater utilisation of peer workers, and a diverse peer workforce at that, to come alongside health professionals in assisting people with mental health challenges coexistant to substance problems.
Suzana: The whole system needs to have better aftercare for a person’s experience in crisis. Co-production and co-design is a need across all sectors for better outcomes for people impacted by mental health, AOD and suicide.
I would work with TACSI in co-production and co-design, as in my co-design experience with them, they understood what was set out to achieve with passion and kindness, which reflects TASCI’s values.