INSS Spirituality, Mental Health and Wellbeing SIG

Online meeting

The Importance of Lived Experience in Mental Health Research and Practice  

Presentation by Dr Emma Watson

Monday 27th April 2026: 12.00pm - 1.15pm

Emma Watson is  Programme Lead for Research, Evaluation, Publications and Development for Imroc, a mental health charity providing training and consultancy that promote recovery focused practices and lived-experience expertise.

This session will explore the role of lived experience in shaping more human, relational and recovery-oriented mental health services. Drawing on research and practice from the charity Imroc, the presentation will consider lived experience as a distinct form of knowledge, one that brings insight into meaning, identity, connection and hope.

The session will reflect on how lived experience can influence care at individual, service and system levels, including through peer support, co-production and lived experience leadership. It will also open up questions about the relational and values-based dimensions of care and how these are held (or overlooked) within contemporary mental health systems. The presentation will invite discussion on how lived experience perspectives can help us move towards services that support recovery in its fullest sense.

The presentation will be followed by questions and a group discussion.

Welcoming all INSS members to this SIG focussing upon spirituality, mental health and wellbeing across diverse contexts, including in relation to study, research and practice.

The group emphasises co-creating a safe yet focussed space to reflect, explore and share skills and inspiration together.

The SIG Chairs: Dr Katja Milner, Dr Jill Buckeldee