Experience-Informed Mental Health
Lived.
Learned.
Shared.
Experience-Informed Mental Health
Lived.
Learned.
Shared.
MY MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY I spent 10 years of my life, trying to explain what I did not understand. To people I had never met. Trusting treatments I knew nothing about. Hoping for a recovery no one believed was possible. Whilst dealing with stigma — not just symptoms. Then....I found a way to win.
Patrick O'Connor
Patrick's Mental Health Journey
Lived Experience
Patrick has first-hand experience navigating severe mental illness and a wide range of treatments, therapies, medical pathways and recovery strategies.
This provides a rare real-world perspective on what treatment actually looks like from the patient’s side — including confusion, trial and error, access barriers, communication breakdowns, treatment fatigue, financial cost, hope, relapse, recovery and the challenge of staying engaged.
Mental Health Research
Patrick’s recovery journey expanded into extensive research into mental health systems, emerging treatments, clinical approaches, recovery models and international developments.
His research spans Australian and overseas perspectives, including treatment innovation, system gaps, patient experience, diagnosis, disability, insurance claims and the broader policy environment affecting people with mental illness.
Mental Health Advocacy
Patrick’s lived experience, recovery journey and research have developed into a broader advocacy role focused on improving mental health awareness, treatment access, system accountability and outcomes for people experiencing mental illness.
His advocacy is grounded in the belief that people with lived experience can identify gaps that are often invisible to those designing systems from the outside.
Who we work with
- Financial services organisations
- Insurance Advisers
- Financial Planners
- AFSL compliance management
- Medical professionals
- Health and mental health organisations
- Disability and Insurance organisations
- Government and policy bodies
- Sporting and high-performance environments
- Corporate leadership teams
- Advocacy groups
We also provide strategic guidance to individuals seeking information to discuss with their treating physicians. This does not constitute medical advice.
Topics Explored
Ketamine IV Treatment
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
Pharmacogenetic DNA testing
Pharmacogenetic DNA testing
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
Pharmacogenetic DNA testing
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
Off-Label Medication strategies
Off-Label Medication strategies
Off-Label Medication strategies
Off-Label Medication strategies
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Off-Label Medication strategies
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Medical Cannabis
Off-Label Medication strategies
Hormone Replacement Therapy
5-MeO-DMT
Physical Discharge Therapy
Physical Discharge Therapy
Physical Discharge Therapy
Physical Discharge Therapy
Physical Discharge Therapy
Holistic Patient Health
Physical Discharge Therapy
Holistic Patient Health