The Diverse Experiences Advisory Panel (DEAP) brings together people from various communities and backgrounds with varied lived experiences and perspectives. DEAP members draw on their experiences and perspectives to inform government policy and how it can support better mental health and well-being for people and communities across Scotland.
This new initiative was initially running for two years and began in the spring of 2022. DEAP is a partnership with the Mental Health Foundation and the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE). The Scottish Government substantially funds it.
On this page, DEAP members share more about the panel, their ongoing work and the latest updates.
Who are DEAP?
We are a group of 20 to 30 people with diverse identities and life experiences. We meet at least four times annually and are kept updated on progress by email. We draw on our lived experiences and perspectives to advise the Scottish Government and others on how public policy can help to reduce inequalities and support more people to experience good mental health.
We come from a wide range of backgrounds, including geographies and ages, racialised groups and ethnic communities and different sexualities and genders. Among us, we have wide-ranging life experiences. These include, but aren’t limited to, experiences of long-term health conditions, disability, neurodiversity, care experience, homelessness, unemployment, poverty, immigration and asylum seeking, discrimination, abuse, loneliness and isolation, substance use, bereavement, trauma, unpaid caring and/or experiences of mental health problems.
None of us is defined by a single experience or identity; we are each unique, complex individuals with many experiences that shape our lives. We advise on policy from our lived experiences and perspectives rather than from a professional or academic perspective.
Why do diverse experiences and perspectives matter for mental health?
We all have mental health. Many things shape our experience of mental health. Experiences of inequality, discrimination and/or exclusion can increase the risk of poor mental health and create barriers to well-being.
Our work considers the many factors that shape mental health and well-being and how these interact. These factors aren’t just about physical and mental health; they are not limited to health and social care services.
They also include:
- Our social circumstances. Do we have a support network? Do we feel able to be ourselves with our family and friends, in our workplace and in our community? Do we experience stigma or discrimination? Can we make decisions about our own lives?
- Our economic circumstances. Do we have safe, warm and comfortable housing? Do we struggle to pay for essentials? Are we paid a fair wage? Are we unemployed or in insecure work? Do any benefits we receive support us in living a comfortable and healthy life?
- Our environment. Do we have access to green spaces? Are we able to get around our community? Do we have space to go outside, exercise, or meet our friends? Are we excluded from activities and services because buildings, transport or other facilities are not accessible to us?
- Our life experiences. How do our life experiences affect our mental health and well-being, both good and bad? What do experiences like having a long-term health condition, facing discrimination, experiencing poverty or homelessness or being an unpaid carer mean for our mental health and well-being?
What are we working on?
We are sharing our views to inform the Scottish Government’s new Mental Health and Well-being Strategy. We continue developing our future work plan and will share updates on this webpage.
What's it like being on the panel?
DEAP member Carola has written a blog about her first year as a member of the panel.
We're recruiting
We are currently recruiting new members to join DEAP. We are seeking 9 new members to join from September 2024.
Applications are open to anyone aged 18 and over who lives in Scotland and has an interest in a preventative approach to mental wellbeing.
Panel members receive recognition payments for the time they give to the panel. These are paid by bank transfer or vouchers. Expenses are also paid where travel is required.
- You don’t have to have used mental health services, or been diagnosed with a mental health condition, to bring your life experience.
- You don’t have to have any previous experience or knowledge about policy or services to get involved.
All are welcome to apply however, we are particularly interested in hearing from people who belong to the following groups to ensure the panel continues to be reflective of diverse communities in Scotland:
- Young people aged 18-24
- Parents and lone parents of a child/children aged under 18
- Men
- People from Black and minority ethnic communities
Participation in the panel is a minimum commitment of 12 months. You will also be asked to sign up to the DEAP ‘ways of working’ agreement and will receive a Basic Disclosure Check.
How do I apply?
To apply, please complete the online expression of interest form below. We’ll ask you to tell us about your individual experiences and say why you are interested in joining the panel. The deadline to express your interest is Friday 20th September.
If you find it difficult to complete this form online, we can support you to complete it in an alternative format. This includes the option to complete it as a Word document or over the phone.
Please call 0141 226 9857 or email Gill at [email protected] and give your name and contact details.
What happens next
Once you have submitted your expression of interest form we will review it and get in touch about the next steps. We will invite selected applicants for an informal interview on Microsoft Teams to find out more about your interest in joining the panel. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we are working through currently, if you are not invited for interview, we are not able to provide feedback on your expression of interest.
Useful resources & information
Unpaid carers: If you are an unpaid carer and want to find out more information and places of support, visit the Carers Trust.
If an individual or organisation would like to discuss a project, event or piece of policy that may be of interest to DEAP, please email Gill Meens.
Email Gill
Related content
OPEN network
Voices of Experience (VOX)
Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Scotland 2022
