Lived Experience Lab: Lets talk about it – Mental health, CP and Wellness

This Mental Health month, CPActive, in collaboration with Sydney Childrens Hospital Network (SCHN) and CPA Research Institute, are hosting a Lived Experience Lab to connect and support our advocacy community.

This free, online, one hour community event is not to be missed for anyone with CP (or similar disability), family members or carers.

This Lived Experience Lab has been co-designed with our CPActive Champions as advocacy burnout and mental health have been identified as areas of priority for our community.

What can I expect from this Lived Experience Lab?

This will be an interactive, online event to connect and collaborate with your community. You will hear stories from experienced mental health practitioners and other advocacy leaders who have lived experience of CP about their strategies to maintain positive mental health.

CPActive Steering Committee want to open a discussion about the challenges that people with physical disability face when getting support for mental health challenges and present strategies and pathways that will support wellness for our community.

This will be an interactive event with plenty of opportunities for your input, including open discussion, breakout rooms and other interactive features.

Who is this event for?

CPActive Lived Experience Labs are a space for people with CP and similar disabilities, their family members and carers to come together as a community, share their experiences and raise the issues that matter to them.

This event is focussing on wellness and mental health and will cover topics to support positive mental health habits and reduce advocacy burnout.

Who will we hear from at this event?

Thea Keane is a counsellor with over 27 years of experience supporting people with a range of mental health difficulties. Thea was also born with cerebral palsy, and has first-hand experience of what it is like to navigate a predominately able-bodied world with a disability. It has been a journey of highs and lows. Thea believes that this personal experience heightens her ability to work with those experiencing disability.

Venessa Crane is a Research Partner with The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network working with the Feelings Program team to develop a research project aimed at better understanding the mental health support needs of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Venessa has had cerebral palsy all her life, and is also a wheelchair user. Venessa has a background in office skills, IT and welfare, but is currently a full time artist and also works in theatre.

The CPActive Steering committee will also be part of the discussion, always there to listen and learn from our community.

Want to learn more about Mental Heath Month?

Check out the website: Lets Talk About It | Mental Health Month (wayahead.org.au)

Read some more here:

“Let’s Talk About It” emphasies the significance of open dialogue and communication regarding mental health across various platforms and settings. The theme’s “Talk” aspect highlights the importance of inclusive discussions, considering diverse needs and utilising different mediums for conversation. Meanwhile, the “It” component, is open-ended, allowing individuals to choose the topics they want to discuss. This could encompass conversations of lived experience stories, navigating mental health systems, or seeking resources and support. By embracing this flexibility, we empower people to engage in discussions that are meaningful and relevant to their own experiences. Whether it’s sharing coping strategies, advocating for better access to mental health care, or simply lending a listening ear, the “It” component encourages a wide range of conversations that promote understanding and support of mental health.

“Let’s Talk About It” further highlights the importance of connecting with others, as supported by research showing how relationships with family, friends, and broader community connections can support one’s well-being. Engaging in conversations about mental health and sharing lived experience stories with supportive individuals can improve psychological well-being and overall wellness. Through collective unity and compassion, we create environments where individuals feel empowered to openly discuss mental health, find reassurance, and seek support.