Member profile: We introduce one of the GLE Lived Experience Council (LEC) members, Carli Sheers

Responses prepared by Carli Sheers

Something personal about me – what “lights me up” – what things I enjoy in life

I feel blessed to have a wide circle of family, friends and colleagues who bring so much joy, My Husband is my best friend and I am fortunate to have someone to share my life with.  Going to the beach to unwind and relax is my happy place.  I also feel energised by live music, camping in nature, and adventuring on road trips.

Humour is my favourite form of intelligence.  I believe that laughter is the best form of personal medicine.  Bringing kindness and optimism to the world are my passions.  Practicing gratitude has a positive effect on me and other people.  Most importantly, I am no longer afraid to make mistakes as I have my greatest learning from them – always look for silver linings in life.

How I describe myself and my intersectionality

I am a second generation Australian who is proud of my Dutch heritage, and had a sense of belonging when I attended the 2024 GLE Netherlands Exchange.  It was wonderful to spend time with my Dutch relatives also.  I thank GLE for this amazing opportunity.

I am a thoughtful, considerate, open minded, and possess an outgoing personality.  The quality of my relationships are important to me.  Experiencing psychosocial disability was humbling and, through my recovery journey, made me a better person and who I am today.  However, psychosocial disability remains one of the most challenging and misunderstood areas of disability and I wish to change this.  People often come to me for advice as they trust me, know that I will actively listen, be non-judgemental, provide hope, and will use my health literacy to help them navigate the complex mental health and disability systems.

Volunteering led to paid work and this was life changing.  I still surprise my parents with my career achievements and this means a lot to me.  I was once told that I would never work again – how wrong was that person!

Understanding what psychosocial disability means

Psychosocial disability is the term that mental health consumers and carers use to describe the disability experience of people with impairments and participation restrictions related to mental health conditions. These impairments and participation restrictions include loss of or reduced abilities to function, think clearly, experience full physical health and manage the social and emotional aspects of their lives.

(National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum Position Statement:  Unravelling Psychosocial Disability)

What am I most proud of in my contribution for others with lived / living experience?

I am most proud of being a life-long learner and living example of recovery from psychosocial disability, exceeding society’s expectations, and using these insights to help others by contributing to reform.  Ally ship is crucial.  I use my privilege to be a voice for people who are marginalised and vulnerable; and intentionally create the conditions for my peers to feel empowered to use their voices.

Respect for human rights and social justice are fundamental to support people’s recovery journey.  I use my Lived Experience expertise to affect change, and respectfully challenge the status quo in areas of: human rights protection; advocating for social determinants of mental health; reducing stigma and discrimination; fostering positive partnering environments; ensuring people have choice and control; providing strategies for psychosocially safe organisational cultures and welcoming environments; and creating opportunities for community inclusion.

What theme areas are my passion that I bring to the LEC, and so that GLE members know what they can contact me about?

GLE’s LEC provides a mechanism to privileged Lived Experience expertise, balance power differentials, and promote further inclusion within decision making.  Involving people in decisions that impact them is essential. “Nothing about us without us.” (Disability movement)

I am a change agent who is driven to make positive change in mental health and disability.  My goal is to maximise my Lived Experience participation in GLE and create connections between international leaders and my peers to improve people’s lives.

Transformation is needed at the individual, service, community, and systems levels.  In Australia, I am playing a key role in integrating Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces with the mental health and disability systems.  I achieve this by learning from others, drawing on policies, sharing knowledge and evidence, and building strong connections through networking.

I agree that “now more than ever, our world needs us to work together to promote better health and wellbeing for all.”  (GLE)

If you would like to get in touch with Carli, please make contact here.