Working alongside young people and families has been a key part of Orygen’s work for over 30 years, and with the release of the Lived Experience Strategy 2026-2028, this commitment to recognising the expertise of people with lived experience of mental-ill health has been further cemented.
The strategy marks a significant milestone for the organisation, and comes after five years of consultation, engagement and insight from our staff, lived experience workforce, and members of our Youth Advisory Councils.
Head of Lived Experience at Orygen, Rafi Armanto, said that as the lived experience workforce and participation continued to grow, it was vital to build the supporting structures and culture within the organisation to ensure this growth was sustainable and impactful.
“As the workforce and expectations around lived experience participation grows and evolves, we need to ensure there is transparency and accountability across the sector, and that people with lived experience are supported to succeed within the mental health system,” Armanto said.
“This isn’t just about holding ourselves accountable, it’s about sharing what’s possible and encouraging everyone in the youth mental health sector to consider their own commitments to lived experience.”
“This strategy addresses both the opportunities and the challenges of integrating lived experience into research, care delivery and design – and affirms Orygen’s commitment to lived experience leadership through tangible actions to strengthen and champion this critical part of our organisation.”