EFFECTIVE CHANGE HAPPENS WHEN WE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE IT AFFECTS

— Peter Chang, Habitus

Peter Chang (he/him)

Through my experiences working with people with lived experience, I have seen first-hand the challenges faced by both the people using mental health services and those who work in the sector. I believe the voice of lived experience is necessary to deliver progress, and has the potential to be the greatest driver of change.

My background…

My academic background is in psychology, with a particular interest in the causes of mental illness, evidence-based approaches, and the ways in which we manage our day-to-day wellbeing.

I have a diverse professional background, having previously worked in care and special educational needs, providing support for people with complex and varying emotional, behavioural and social needs. Most recently, I have worked with key stakeholders in healthcare policy, helping to create spaces for knowledge sharing and practice change. Key to the role was bringing the voices of those with lived experience of health and care services into these spaces to create informed policy, system, and programmatic shifts.

How can I help…

Using my skills in knowledge mobilisation and knowledge translation, I can help amplify the voices of communities and people with lived experience. I help to support the development of safe, trusted platforms for people to express their needs, and further the development of personalised approaches to care.

I also enjoy taking complex datasets and interpreting them in ways that are meaningful to a variety of different audiences. How research findings are communicated can have significant implications on policy, public perceptions of health issues, and have positive impacts or unintended consequences for communities.

The future of mental health…

A better understanding of the effects of mental illness and a more concerted effort to provide the conditions for people to thrive.

 

BSc Psychology
MSc Psychological Research Methods

 

Peter’s key areas of expertise include:

  • Mental health

  • Event planning and stakeholder engagement

  • Research design

  • Healthcare policy

  • Diversity and inclusion