Learning From Pioneers: Incorporating Lived and Living Experience Across Federal and Local Response Efforts

Roles are expanding in overdose prevention and response for those with lived experience (people in recovery from substance use disorder and mental health disorders, as well as family members who have lost loved ones to overdose or have loved ones in recovery) and living experience (people who use drugs or who are experiencing active substance use disorder or mental health disorders). This session will cover the history of lived/living experience in overdose prevention and response, identify the role it is playing across local organizations, and describe the steps that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is taking to promote its incorporation at both at the federal and local levels.

The panelists, who have lived and professional experience, will discuss programs where lived experience plays a critical role, how SAMHSA and local leaders use their lived/living experience to contribute to their missions, outline essential elements, and cite real-world engagement examples of incorporation. The panelists will offer practical guidance that will assist public health professionals, policymakers, practitioners, epidemiologists, and others to take steps to incorporate lived/living experience into opioid use disorder and substance use disorder response. They also will outline various levels of engagement (below), and provide recommendations and resources for incorporation:
• Providers: lived experience in roles that directly support communities.
• Gaining insight: interviews, surveys, focus groups, etc.
• Consultation and Partnership: utilizing lived experience expertise to gain focused information
• Advisory Leadership: incorporating lived experience into leadership groups, advisory boards, etc.
• Organizational Leadership: senior executives and governing board members who use their lived experience in their roles
• Staff: when organizations directly seek out and welcome employees with lived experience.