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www.aves-mh.org
aves Mental Health
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  • Who we are

     is an international organisation that builds capacity among people with lived experience of a mental health condition through empowerment, peer-to-peer mentorship and peer support.

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What is lived experience?
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​We follow WHO Guidance on Mental Health Policy and Strategic Action Plans' definition of People with Lived Experience, where:
​“Lived experience” refers to people who have gone through mental health conditions in a deep, sustained, and often painful way — not just the common stresses or challenges that everyone faces at times. It includes those who have used mental health services, as well as those who haven’t been able to access them - whether by choice, due to barriers, or because services simply weren’t available. 

Our Theory of Change

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We identify and recruit experts by experience living with mental health conditions as advocates who are representatives of their countries
We provide a virtual communication and empowerment platform

We have established a network of experts by experience at the global, regional and national levels

Mentorship and Empowerment: Peer-to-peer support, mentorship & skills building for members 
      • Advocates receive individual peer-to-peer support for navigating the complexities of mental health & general life challenges
      • Advocates participate in workshops and educational initiatives to build knowledge and skills for professional development 
      • Advocates receive individualised and peer-to-peer mentorship for growth and leadership in mental health advocacy 
Experts By Experience Consultancy Services: Consultancy services provided by people with lived experience
Long-term Outcomes:
      • Advocates deliver paid consultancy services to meet the information, training, and engagement needs of clients 
      • Develop well- defined and costed consultancy service packages based on client needs and advocates' expertise
Advocates reshape policies and practices around mental health to promote the inclusion and representation of experts by experience across sectors
Advocates are empowered and equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to emerge as leaders in mental health advocacy on a global scale

We aim to empower advocates living with mental health conditions to emerge as influential agents of change who contribute significantly to reshaping global mental health narratives and transform policies and practices worldwide, as experts by experience.

Our Global Representation and Profile

2025 Statistics by aves Mental Health