Mental Health Coordinating Council, in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of NSW, is proud to launch Mental Health Peer Navigation, a new, nationally recognised training course to support people living with mental health challenges to better navigate the mental health service system and achieve improved health outcomes.
The recovery journey for many people living with mental health challenges can feel like a rocky road; finding your way in a complex health and mental health service system, the trauma of retelling your story and searching for understanding and empathy within clinical care, is difficult and can often be stigmatising.
In 2020, the Mental Health Commission of NSW held consultations with the community that found a critical need to enhance referral pathways and improve people’s connections to appropriate services and supports. The Peer Navigation Project was born out of these consultations and initiated in 2021-2023.
As an emerging and distinct role within peer work, peer navigation is a response to community consultation but also extensive findings around the challenges for consumers in finding appropriate supports within a complex mental health service system.
Mental Health Commission of NSW funded four peer navigation pilot sites between 2021-2023 including MHCC member, ACON, to explore, test and evaluate the concept of peer navigation in service settings with positive outcomes and a strong increase in consumers’ ability to access suitable services.
To support the role of peer navigators in the community mental health workforce, the Commission funded MHCC to lead the development of a Peer Navigation course for inclusion in CHC43515 Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, a qualification MHCC developed nearly 10 years ago for the sector.
In line with our principles around recovery-focused, consumer-led and trauma-informed approaches, MHCC co-produced Mental Health Peer Navigation with people with lived experience, peer workers, sector advocates and key stakeholders, to ensure the course meets the needs of people living with mental health challenges.
This sector-leading initiative is a crucial step forward for peer workers and will empower those who walk the journey to help others find their way, bridge the gap between health and mental health service systems, and empower consumers with self-advocacy skills.
Pre-launch expressions of interest are now open for MHCC’s delivery of this course in 2025. MHCC is also facilitating the rollout of Mental Health Peer Navigation for Registered Training Organisations around Australia to deliver this course.
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