Celebrating Lived Experience Awareness Day 2026
Today, Speakers Collective is proud to support Lived Experience Awareness Day, celebrating the knowledge, expertise and contributions of people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, trauma and accessing mental health services.
Now in its second year, Lived Experience Awareness Day was launched in Ireland in 2025 by the HSE Mental Health Engagement and Recovery Office, with the support of the Department of Health.
The day provides an important national opportunity to recognise the value of lived experience and champion the voices of individuals.
Lived experience is more than a personal story. It is a unique form of expertise that can challenge stigma, inspire understanding and help shape better mental health services, policy, research, education and community support.
At Speakers Collective, lived experience is at the heart of everything we do. We bring together a community of more than 300 speakers, campaigners and advocates who use their experiences to raise awareness, challenge assumptions and bring about meaningful change.
We believe that when people are given the opportunity to share their experiences in their own words, with support when they need it, can help others see things differently, influence decisions and create more compassionate, inclusive communities.
Lived Experience Awareness Day is a reminder that listening is only the beginning. People with lived experience must be valued as experts and active participants in the decisions that affect their lives. Their knowledge deserves not only to be heard, but to help shape the future.
Today, we celebrate everyone who shares their experience, advocates for change and helps create space for others to be heard.
Together, we can turn lived experience into understanding, influence and lasting change.
Join the conversation #LivedExperienceAwarenessDay, find out more https://mentalhealthreform.ie/lived-experience-day
We’d love to hear from you
If you’re a speaker, campaigner or advocate who wants to share your experience, raise awareness and help shape a more compassionate and inclusive society, we invite you to register to join Speakers Collective.
Become part of our growing community of over 300 people using their voices to make a difference - https://www.speakerscollective.org/join
