Recognizing lived experience: A galaxy of considerations

Abstract

Within Australia, it is increasingly common for a ‘recognition of lived experience’ to occur at the start of meetings and formal events within mental health spaces. Whilst such acknowledgements signal a move towards valuing lived experience, there is potential for these practices to be harnessed in ways that assimilate lived experience into existing systems, rather than valuing survivor and Mad knowledges and practices. In this article, we present a framework for individuals to consider when crafting one’s own recognition of lived experience, stemming from our Mad desires for recognitions that align with a social justice agenda in a meaningful and connected way. Alongside the framework, we share a discussion between the authors, drawing on our experiences to explore the tensions that emerge as recognitions become formalized within mental health systems.