Thread by @AliciaJeanKing

Great paper by @HelenaRoennfel2 and @DrLouiseByrne on senior staff's understanding of #livedexperience workforce issues: publish.csiro.au/ah/Fulltext/AH…

I particularly ❤️ Sam:

"...But you know just saying ‘you’re not recovered enough to do this job’ is a load of bullshit." (Sam)

"The ambiguity in this study reinforces the need for greater consensus in defining and determining relevant lived experience in the context of designated roles."

As someone who has previously been responsible for recruiting peer workers, I was less interested in what... 1/2

...experiences they had had, and more interested in what they had learnt from those experiences that might help them to connect with and support others, especially their capacity to work with people who may have different experiences and worldviews to their own. 2/2

That being said...
...#livedexperience of #racism, #misoygny, #transphobia #homophobia, #incarceration, #poverty or #stigma towards Dx such as #schizophrenia and #BPD , may be highly relevant, underscoring the need for greater diversity and numbers in the #peersupport workforce.

Whilst I would never ask a potential #peerworker their diagnosis or service use history as a part of the recruitment process, people who have recently received a highly stigmatised diagnosis, or have been admitted to hospital do REALLY appreciate speaking with someone who has.

...and, of course, #recovery from substance use and experiences of #disablism.
The program I worked in had peer workers with all of these experiences but they were reimbursed at an hourly rate rather than employed...which has implications for structural change.