This symposium will explore the critical strategies being implemented by NSW Health to strengthen its mental health and suicide prevention Peer Workforce. This workforce group is recognised as vital for delivering personalised, compassionate care and fostering hope for individuals experiencing mental health or suicidal distress, drawing on their unique lived and living experience expertise.
The NSW Health peer workforce has experienced significant growth across in recent years which is especially notable in the Peer Supported Transfer of Care, and Towards Zero Suicides initiatives such as Suicide Prevention Outreach Teams (SPOT) and peer-led Safe Havens.
In October 2025, NSW Health introduced Elevating Lived Experience Expertise: A Framework for the NSW Health Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Peer Workforce (The Framework). The Framework provides consistent statewide guidance for all NSW Health services including clear role definitions, scope of practice, training and workforce development approaches. It was developed between 2021-2025 with extensive contributions from peer workers, managers, executive leaders, and other stakeholders, ensuring a collaborative approach.
The Framework envisions a "thriving, well-supported, and empowered Peer Workforce”. It was informed by best practice guidelines and research on Peer Workforce development, including the National Lived Experience Peer Workforce Development Guidelines 2021. Crucially, the Framework emphasises the importance of co-design, where peer workers are engaged as equal partners in shaping programs and roles.
The Framework’s implementation has been enabled by a close and authentic collaboration with the NSW Health Education Training Institute (HETI) to develop peer-led, collaborative and accessible training resources for the mental health and suicide prevention Peer Workforce.
Key elements of the Peer Workforce training package include purposeful storytelling, reflective peer supervision and orientation to the Peer Workforce in NSW Health.
Authentic collaboration was enabled by establishing the first Lived and Living Experience Peer Workforce Educator Lead role. This pioneering position enables peer leadership and harnesses the power of personal lived experience of mental health challenges and suicidal lived experience, combined with professional educator skills, to enhance the quality and effectiveness of Peer Workforce training design, implementation and evaluation.
Close collaboration between the Ministry of Health and HETI is a key enabler of supporting the existing and growing NSW Health Peer Workforce and a shared commitment to improving mental health wellbeing and reducing lives lost to suicide.