Lived Experience
By Dr Kate Martin
Lived experience is a term we use to describe when an individual gains skills and knowledge through living their life.
All of us have some version of lived experience so long as we are alive and an active participant in daily living.
The term is being associated more and more with military veterans and by default it passes to other service members such as police and emergency services. Lived experience for these individuals is important because it often provides insight and meaning to the shared experiences with others. That is, an individual can be feeling a certain way after service and hearing the lived experience of another member can justify those feelings. It is also a place of camaraderie.
Lived experience for these individuals is often unique to their service experiences and therefore they bring new information that is not always shared with civilians. This is especially significant in the treatment of mental health diagnoses because often civilian professionals are in the treating role and being alerted to intricacies and complexities that are in lived experience can positively support treatment regimes.
We also see lived experience in the families and friends of service members and this should not be downplayed. Family members who have supported current and former members of the police, military and emergency services have their own unique experiences that can also be a contributing factor to good treatment outcomes. It is also a different form of camaraderie between family members that offers a network of support for all involved.
Key factors of lived experience:
Unique experiences
Unique skills and knowledge
Different perspectives and viewpoints
Insight into intricacies and complexities not always readily apparent
Supports camaraderie and common interests
Supports treatment options and recovery regimes