Improving mental health service access for children with language difficulties – Lived Experience Co-Investigators

The project

This project, funded by the Raine Medical Foundation (Raine Priming Grant), will explore and address inclusivity and accessibility of mental health services for young people with language difficulties. Over two years (2026–2028), the project aims to:

• Explore barriers and enablers to mental health service access from the perspective of young people, caregivers, and mental health professionals
• Examine the influence of language difficulties on clinical decision-making amongst health professionals involved in mental heath care
• Co-design an online toolkit of information and resources to upskill young people, caregivers, and professionals to access and engage in mental health services
• Co-design an adapted version of the Project LYRIC While You Wait Program.

The involvement opportunity

The research team are seeking two Lived Experience Co-Investigators to join them. They would like to involve two people who will bring lived experience relevant to Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) or other language disorder(s). This includes:

• People with a diagnosis of DLD or other language disorder(s)
• People with experience of supporting someone with a diagnosis of DLD or other language disorder(s). This may include (but is not limited to) parents, family members, friends, and partners.

The research team is particularly interested in people who are well-connected within the DLD/language disorders community and can represent perspectives beyond their own experience. You need to have an interest in research, mental health, and child and youth wellbeing. You do not need previous research experience to be considered for this role. Research training will be provided depending on your level of research experience and knowledge.

Essential skills

• Good communication skills (verbal and/or written, with flexibility for different communication styles)
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
• Organisational skills and reliability (e.g. attending meetings, completing agreed tasks)
• Basic computer literacy (e.g. email, online meetings such as Zoom/Teams)
• Ability to reflect on lived experience and contribute constructively to discussions
• Well-networked within the DLD/language difficulties community
• Ability to consider and represent broader community perspectives beyond individual experience.

Desirable skills

• Experience working in a Lived Experience role (e.g. as a Lived Experience advisory group member or peer worker)
• Experience working on a research project in an academic role
• Sound understanding of research processes (e.g. study design, data collection, ethics)
• Experience contributing to co-design or participatory research (e.g. co-designing research methods and program adaptations)
• Experience supporting participant recruitment (e.g. through community networks)
• Experience reviewing research materials (e.g. participant information sheets, surveys).

Other information

It is anticipated that Lived Experience Co-Investigators will be require to dedicate approximately 4 hours per month to the project over the two year period (until 2028).

Meetings will be held at Curtin University with the option for online attendance where necessary.

Lived Experience Co-Investigators will be remunerated via honorarium (value aligned with ALA 1 academic position).