For the first time, First Nations people will have their own organisation dedicated to ensuring their voices are heard in designing and delivering culturally appropriate mental health and suicide prevention services.
From October, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre (ILEC) will become an independent, self-determined organisation led by First Nations people.
The transition to become the Indigenous Australian Lived Experience Centre (IALEC) marks a significant milestone in the journey toward self-determination and culturally appropriate services.
The IALEC will continue to elevate the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with lived and living experience of mental ill health. This will ensure their expertise informs the design and delivery of trauma-informed, community-led care and programs.
Since 2022, the Albanese Government has invested $10.3 million to support the centre's work, recognising its vital role in improving outcomes for First Nations communities.
An independent evaluation commissioned by the Black Dog Institute in 2023 found the ILEC had a transformative impact - empowering members, fostering healing, and building strong relationships across the sector.
The IALEC will build on this foundation, continuing to support a national network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lived experience voices and contributing to the goals of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
By working in genuine partnership and through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leadership and governance, this transition will support Priority Reform Two: Building the Community-Controlled Sector and support progress against Outcome 14: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing and Target 14: Significant and sustained reduction in suicide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards zero.
The government acknowledges the leadership of the IALEC Board of Directors and incoming CEO Vicki McKenna, together with Dr Clinton Schultz at the Black Dog Institute for his foundational role in establishing the ILEC.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Rebecca White:
"This is a powerful step forward in ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices with lived experiences are leading the way in shaping mental health services for their communities.
"The IALEC will ensure lived experience voices are not only heard but are central to shaping the services that support healing and wellbeing.
"By placing lived experience at the heart of service design, we are honouring cultural knowledge and empowering communities to lead the way in suicide prevention and mental health care."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Emma McBride:
"Lived experience is essential to creating mental health services that truly meet the needs of communities.
"The IALEC's transition to First Nations leadership demonstrates the power of self-determination and the importance of culturally appropriate, community-led approaches.
"I look forward to our partnership with the IALEC as they lead this important work."
