Overview

Peer workers are a growing workforce that is rapidly becoming established both within and across many types of mental health service settings, including multi-disciplinary teams and services where they are likely to work in collaboration or partnership with psychologists and other mental health professionals.
For psychologist to be aware of the role and impact of peer workers, scope of practice, and how the role of the peer worker may complement and support the work of the psychologist in a combined effort to support those who present with mental health challenges.

This webinar will provide an overview of:

• the role of lived experience peer workers,

• evidence for the effectiveness of peer support, and

• how psychologists can work in collaboration with peer workers with the aim to enhance consumers mental health recovery outcomes.

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.

Duration of access

Access to the recording and presenter slides is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Activity details 

• On-demand webinar recording 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this webinar, participants should be able to:

• define peer work and identify values and principles underpinning the peer work role,

• recognise the evidence and effectiveness of peer work, and

• work effectively in collaboration with peer workers.

Presenter(s)

Professor Sharon Lawn, Heather Nowak, Liz Asser

About the presenter(s)

Professor Sharon Lawn is Chair and Executive Director for Lived Experience Australia, a nationally awarded mental health consumer and carer advocacy organisation. Sharon brings her personal mental health lived experience and her 20 years as a family carer to several national representative roles including on the Board of Mental Health Australia, the National Mental Health Consumer Carer Forum, and the Australian Self-Care Alliance. Sharon is also a Professor at Flinders University and was previously Director of the Department of Psychiatry research unit there before her role as lead Mental Health Commissioner, SA in 2020-21. Prior to these roles, Sharon was a senior social worker in mental health services in SA for 13 years and also worked in community disability and aged care for 10 years. Sharon continues to undertake a broad range of mental health research from a lived experience.

Heather Nowak is a qualified Mental Health Consumer Peer Specialist, Trainer and Assessor, and advocate with extensive experience and a demonstrated record of high-level consumer engagement. Heather has worked as a Peer worker in a voluntary and paid capacity for over fourteen years. She delivered the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work for several years in SA and was also a Mental Health Commissioner in SA 2020-23.

Liz Asser is an Educator, Counsellor and Lived Experience Activist and Mentor. Liz has worked across public, private and community sectors and proudly supported many individuals to achieve their goals. Liz is an exceptional organisational change and service systems educator, with particular expertise in lived experience peer perspectives.