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www.aves-mh.org
aves Mental Health
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Resources

 develops evidence-based, lived-experience-informed resources to support mental health advocacy, education, and policy. All resources prioritize inclusivity, recovery-oriented approaches, and the empowerment of individuals with lived experience in mental health systems worldwide.
Toolkits & Guides

Practical resources for peers, professionals, and policymakers.

Advocacy Materials

Campaigns and position statements shaped by peer expertise.

Digital Content

Webinars, podcasts, and articles amplifying diverse voices.

Research and Reports

Lived-experience perspectives integrated into mental health research.

Training Programs

Peer-led workshops and capacity-building initiatives.

Position Statements

G20 Position Statement: Integrating Peer Support into Mental Health System Reforms

G20 Position Statement - aves Mental Health

Our Policies & Reference Documents

aves REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
aves Mental Health CHARTER by aves Mental Health
aves Mental Health CODE OF CONDUCT by aves Mental Health
aves POLICIES
aves Mental Health SAFEGUARDING POLICY by aves Mental Health
aves Mental Health DATA PROECTION POLICY by aves Mental Health
aves Mental Health SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY by aves Mental Health
aves Mental Health CONFLICT RESOLUTION POLICY by aves Mental Health
aves GUIDELINES
aves Mental Health REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS GUIDELINES by aves Mental Health
aves Mental Health C.O.N.S.U.L.T. Guidelines by aves Mental Health
aves TEMPLATES
Advanced Directive by aves Mental Health

Useful Infographics

Implementation Challenges Table - Downloadable PNG

aves Mental Health: Addressing Implementation Challenges

Practical solutions for integrating lived experience expertise in mental health systems

Overcoming Common Implementation Challenges (developed by aves Mental Health)
Turning obstacles into opportunities for meaningful partnership
ChallengeSolution
1
Tokenism
Involvement without real power or meaningful impact
  • Ensure decision-making authority - Give lived experience experts real power in committees and planning groups
  • Create meaningful roles with clear impact - Design positions that influence service design, policy, and evaluation
  • Provide proper compensation - Pay for expertise, time, and emotional labor at professional rates
2
Professional Resistance
Clinicians feeling threatened or devalued by lived experience input
  • Educate about complementary expertise - Emphasize that lived experience adds to, doesn't replace, clinical knowledge
  • Emphasize "both/and" not "either/or" - Frame integration as collaboration between different types of expertise
  • Start with collaborative projects - Begin with joint initiatives that demonstrate mutual benefit
3
Burnout
Lived experience experts experiencing exhaustion from emotional labor
  • Set clear boundaries and expectations - Define roles, hours, and emotional labor limits
  • Provide adequate support and supervision - Offer debriefing, mentoring, and professional development
  • Rotate demanding roles - Share high-intensity responsibilities among team members
4
Inadequate Resources
Limited budget, time, or staff for meaningful integration
  • Start small and build success - Begin with pilot projects that demonstrate value
  • Leverage existing networks and partnerships - Collaborate with community organizations and peer networks
  • Make the business case with ROI data - Show cost savings from reduced hospitalizations and improved outcomes
5
Measurement Difficulties
Challenges in quantifying the impact of lived experience integration
  • Use both qualitative and quantitative measures - Combine statistics with personal stories and experiences
  • Track process and outcome indicators - Measure both how integration happens and what it achieves
  • Collect stories alongside statistics - Document personal experiences of impact alongside numerical data
Key Principles for Successful Integration
"Nothing about us without us"
Involve lived experience experts from the very beginning of planning, not as an afterthought.
Fair Compensation
This is work, expertise, and emotional labor. Pay professionals rates for professional contributions.
Proper Support
Don't expect people to work in isolation. Provide supervision, debriefing, and team support.
Continuous Learning
Adapt based on experience and feedback. Treat integration as an ongoing learning process.

How to use this image:

1. Click the download button above to save the PNG file

2. Insert into presentations, reports, or training materials

3. Use as a reference tool when planning lived experience integration

Note: The download may take a few seconds to process.