Cairns Head To Health Lived Experience Advisory Group

Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) are partnering to commission Cairns Head to Health, a new mental health service for the region.

Cairns Head to Health will provide a safe and welcoming space for people to receive information, treatment, and support. It will be a free service, with no appointment or referral needed.  

NQPHN and CHHHS are seeking expressions of interest from local community members to establish a Lived Experience Advisory Group to guide the commissioning of this new service.  

What is lived experience?

‘Lived experience’ is a broad term that refers to a person’s first-hand experiences with something. People with a lived or living experience can identify either: 

  • as someone with a personal experience of mental health, suicide, or alcohol and drug issues 

  • as someone with experience supporting a person experiencing mental health, suicide, or alcohol and drug issues.  

Criteria for membership

Nominees for membership of the Lived Experience Advisory Group must: 

  • reside in the Cairns and Hinterland region 

  • be aged 18 years or older 

  • have a lived or living experience of mental health, suicide, or alcohol and drug issues or of supporting someone experiencing mental health, suicide, or alcohol and drug issues.  

Time commitment

Members will meet monthly over a 12-month period from October 2023. Meetings will be two hours and held in person in Cairns City.  

Prior to commencement, members will be supported to attend lived experience capacity building training delivered by Roses in the Ocean. The training will be a half-day session.  

Remuneration 

Members will be remunerated at a rate of $120 per meeting. NQPHN and CHHHS may consider reimbursement of expenses for mileage incurred, public transport, or taxi fares at rates prescribed by the Australian Tax Office. 

Apply now!

To express your interest in joining the Cairns Head to Health Lived Experience Advisory Group, please complete this form.

Expressions of interest close 5pm, Tuesday 17 October 2023.  

If you have any questions, please contact the NQPHN Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Team at mhaodplanning@nqphn.com.au

Latest news in the Cairns and Hinterland region

Register now: DermEX Skin Cancer Surgical Bootcamp (bursaries available)

What you need to know: Face-to-face bootcamp dates: 18-19 July 2026 Open to all AHPRA-registered health professionals in the Cairns...

Our Region, Our People: Meet Suresh

Through Lives Lived Well’s nurse-led Withdrawal Support and Clinical Care Coordination program – supported by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network...

Pharmacists start work in general practices across Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands

Older residents across Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands can now access a pharmacist directly within their general practice, as the...