Earlier this year, the College launched its Lived and Living Experience (LLE) Strategy to embed lived expertise across all areas of our work.

What is the LLE Strategy about?

At its heart, the Strategy sets out a commitment to place the voices, insights and expertise of people with lived and living experience at the centre of everything we do. This includes training, education, policy, governance, and advocacy. The aim is to ensure our work genuinely reflects and responds to the realities of the people and communities psychiatry serves.

Why develop this Strategy now?

There is growing recognition that lived experience is not just anecdotal, but a form of expertise. People with lived and living experience bring insight into what works, what does not, and where systems fall short. By integrating these perspectives, the College aims to close the gap between clinical practice and real-world experience. This helps psychiatry stay responsive, equitable, and effective.

What do we mean by ‘lived and living experience’?

In the context of psychiatry, lived and living experience refers to the personal knowledge that comes from directly facing distress, adversity or marginalisation, and navigating the systems and services that respond to those experiences. It includes, but is not limited to, experiences connected to mental health, disability, substance use, trauma, cultural displacement or social exclusion. This knowledge is shaped by identity, context and culture, and is a vital source of insight to drive real change.

How will this shape psychiatrists’ work?

By drawing on lived expertise, the College can improve how education, training, policy and advocacy are designed and delivered. This means more learning based on what people say works, clearer guidance on building trust and safety in clinical settings, and policies that better reflect what people and communities actually need. Over time, this can support psychiatrists to build stronger partnerships, share decisions more meaningfully, and influence systems to work better for everyone.

How do we make sure this does not just sit on a shelf?

While this is a challenge, there has been strong enthusiasm and goodwill from members, committees and staff, which is encouraging. The real test is turning that commitment into practical action and measurable outcomes. Work is already underway to agree on what success looks like, how we will track progress, and how we will stay accountable to the Strategy’s intent.

How does this support cultural safety?

Lived and living experience includes the many identities, cultures and worldviews that psychiatry engages with. Bringing these perspectives in strengthens our commitment to cultural safety. It helps us see how different communities experience services, where we need to do better, and how to value cultural knowledge alongside clinical knowledge. For Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori communities especially, this means listening to what works in their contexts and respecting self-determination in health care.

What can psychiatrists and trainees do now?

The College invites psychiatrists and trainees to actively engage in exploring how psychiatry can genuinely draw on lived expertise to strengthen practice. This is not separate from clinical work. It is about making practice safer, more effective and more relevant by partnering with people who know the system from the inside out.

What does this Strategy mean for people with lived and living experience?

People with lived and living experience should know that there is genuine commitment within the College to engage, listen and learn. This Strategy is just the beginning. What happens next is about laying the foundations for real change, supporting everyone through that change, and keeping lived expertise at the centre of what we do for the long term.

Got thoughts or ideas?

You can help us shape how we embed lived and living experience in our work by sharing your thoughts with us.