Presentation by Monique Williamson, from MIFWA, The Critical Role of Peer Support. Presented at the Western Australian Mental Health Conference 2019.

1. THE CRITICAL
ROLE OF PEER
SUPPORT, THE
VALUE LORIKEET
OFFERS THE
COMMUNITY AND A
STRONG APPETITE
FOR CHANGE
Monique Williamson 2019

2. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to acknowledge that this meeting is being held on
Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of
Noongar people in this land.
We would like to acknowledge those with lived experience of mental
distress and impacted families and friends.

3. OUR
PREMISE
Our mental health system, for many people who
experience mental distress, is under significant
strain.
The current experience of the system, for many
people, does not expediate personal recovery.
If we built a system that nurtured each person's
potential, acknowledged their unique capacity and
humanity, it would be very different to what we
have today.

4. UNDERPINNING ASSUMPTIONS
Mental distress is part of the human experience
Personal recovery is possible for all
Peer support is unique and often powerful – both paid peer roles and informal peer support
The way forward to a responsive mental health system is to listen deeply to those most impacted by
the current system -trust that people will lead us to find better solutions
Social connection is a foundation of our wellbeing, much of our current responses to mental distress
reinforces disconnection and isolates

5. WAY
FORWARD
Investment in community support – keeping people
well, at home and connected to people and
community
Models of peer support underpinning much of our
system
Courage to explore some of the most challenging
experiences – learning from and listening to those
most marginalised (where our current system is
failing)

6. LORIKEET
CENTRE – 25
YEARS ON
‘It gives me a reason to get out
of bed in the morning’ – Lorikeet
Member

7. THE
POSITIVES
Offers a bridge to ordinary life and community
A safe space to connect people – peer support
Keeps people active, contributing and learning
Creates a safe space – non- judgmental, OK not
to be OK, mutual support and tolerance (with
personal obligations)

8. THE
TENSIONS
Safe space we create can become too
comfortable – finding a balance of challenge
Judged as not contemporary
Not for everyone
Risk of keeping people stuck – too safe
Limited resources to support people with
focussed community connections

9. WHAT WE
KNOW
WORKS
Seeing people – mutual respect, acknowledging potential, struggle
and resilience
Opportunities to engage - ordinary activities and opportunities to
participate and contribute
Shared decision making –talking together, listening, learning and
improving Collaboration - working through challenges together,
identifying priorities together, creating opportunities for
contribution
Right relationships – mutual responsibility, standing alongside,
genuine interest in people, and high expectations

10. MIFWA
OTHER
PEER
PROGRAM
Parent Peer Program
Wellways Peer Education Programs
My Recovery Wellways to Work Building a Future
Peer2Peer Hospital to Home

11. WHY DOES
PEER
SUPPORT
WORK?
The value of
peer work
A peer's
perspective!