Matthew’s Story : Your Lived Experience is a Global Superpower
As we mark World Suicide Prevention Day, we’re turning the spotlight on young voices making waves in mental health advocacy. Matt, Mad activist-academic currently undertaking their PhD at the University of Sydney within the Centre for Disability Research and Policy mapping the consumer, survivor, ex-patient and inmate, and Mad movement globally. Also, founder of the Australian Centre for Lived Experience (TACFLE), Matt works tirelessly to amplify the voices of those affected by mental health challenges.
Their advocacy is deeply rooted in personal tragedy, having lost a parent to suicide while serving as a young carer. This profound experience set them on a path toward transforming mental health care and challenging societal norms.
Q: What work are you currently doing as a mental health advocate / activist?
A: I am a WHO Lived Experience Consultant in Non-Communicable Diseases focusing on psychosocial disability and Madness and have founded my own organisation the Australian Centre for Lived Experience.
Q: When and how did you first become interested in mental health advocacy or activism?
A: I would say I first began my experiences in the movement when diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and hospitalised over 8 times in both public and private system.
I have had a mixture of good and very bad experiences as institutional care has not addressed the root cause of my social, cultural, spiritual and structural issues such as homophobia, disability, unemployment, debt, grief from parental suicide and siblings mental health, and ongoing housing, family and stability concerns.
The psychiatric system has often responded to my socio-structural and spiritual awakenings from suicide with a pill and a bed.
What I needed was care, safety, stability and hope that a better world, family and community would give me a reason to keep living.
Q: What is ONE thing you've learned in your journey?
A: I have found personal transformation through my own experiences of suicide including coming out as non-binary (they/them) pronouns and honouring my mother's spirit and presence as we activate against psychiatric oppression.
If you would like to share your story with the Action Network we invite you to complete this form.
