, formally known as the Global Mental Health Peer Network (GMHPN), was founded by Charlene Sunkel, a person with lived experience of schizophrenia and a global voice for the rights of people with lived experience of mental health conditions. Aves was established in 2018 in an effort to transform mental healthcare and service delivery globally, especially in low-and-middle income countries, through lived experience leadership and expertise as the guiding principle.

Charlene Sunkel, who at the time was Principal Coordinator (2017-2019) for the Movement for Global Mental Health, launched aves Mental Health at the 5th Global Mental Health Summit.

The 5th Global Mental Health Summit, hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa in February of 2018, was themed “Leaving no one behind” as per the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Summit incorporated a strong focus on inclusion, empowerment and human rights of people with lived experience of mental health conditions.

Our methodology revolves around empowering individuals with lived experience through peer-to-peer mentorship, knowledge sharing, and support, aiming to cultivate and elevate a cohort of Experts By Experience. By harnessing the expertise of individuals with mental health conditions, GMHPN fosters their active engagement as pivotal collaborators in advancing both local and global mental health objectives.

Since our launch in 2018, our primary focus was on advocating for the inclusion of lived experience perspectives in mental health. Initially, we aimed to amplify the voices of individuals with lived experience and to promote their active involvement in decision-making processes. Over time, we evolved and our advocacy efforts strongly emphasized not only the experiential value but also the monetary worth of lived experience expertise in mental health initiatives. Recognizing the invaluable contributions of experts by experience, we shifted our focus towards advocating for fair remuneration and recognition of our expertise. Today,  serves as a vital resource for stakeholders seeking guidance on how to effectively and authentically integrate lived experience perspectives into mental health policies, programs, and practices. 

A Symbol, A Story, A Movement

Why we have chosen the name   

Aves - Latin for "birds"—because it beautifully captures the spirit of who we are.

With over 11,000 bird species worldwide, birds are a vital part of our global ecosystem - just like people with lived experience are essential to reshaping global mental health.

A flock of birds isn’t just beautiful - it’s powerful.

Flying in formation allows birds to move with greater energy-efficiency, offering support and protection along the way. Just like a flock, is a collective of lived experience voices - lifting each other up, flying further, together.

Birds have symbolized freedom, new beginnings, resilience, and hope across cultures for centuries. At , we embody these same values - rising from our experiences to build something meaningful for others.

We are not just survivors - we are changemakers.

At , the symbolism runs deeper than our name. Just like the sound of birds, we aim to bring calm, clarity, and comfort to people navigating mental health difficulties.

At , we are a community of people with lived experience, supporting, protecting, and standing together. Like a flock, our strength lies in unity. Together, our voices shape better services, policies, and support systems. When we fly together, we rise higher.

To us, freedom means more than movement, it means inclusion, autonomy, and the right to be heard. It’s about reclaiming our power through decision-making, storytelling, and resilience.   is about new beginnings, and creating space for all voices to take flight.

We care deeply about the environment because it cares for us. Our time in nature has a profound impact on our health, mental well-being, and sense of recovery. 

At , we honour the connection between nature and healing, because healing happens in harmony with the world around us.

We are a dedicated team of experts by experience, committed to advancing lived experience empowerment and inclusion in global mental health

Discover what our members have to say about their experiences with us. Our success stories are a testament to our exceptional commitment to empowerment and integrating lived experience expertise in global mental health.