Murrumbidgee Local Health District Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol services have created a new Recognition of Lived and Living Experience statement to honour and acknowledge people with lived and carer experience. It was created in consultation with our staff, Peer Workforce and people with lived and carer experience.

A formal statement like this helps to demonstrate the value we place on the contribution of people with lived and carer experience of mental health, drug and alcohol issues. It aims to show the respect we hold for the strength and wisdom of people in our community.

The Recognition of Lived and Living Experience has a spoken and written version. The statement will be read at meetings of staff working in our mental health, drug and alcohol services and included in our published written materials.

Thank you to all those who helped us create our Recognition of Lived and Living Experience statement by providing your suggestions and wording preferences. We hope that you feel that this statement values and respects your lived, living and/or carer experience.