Mental health conferences are heavy. It can be incredibly draining to carry the mental load of the stories, ground-breaking clinical approaches, innovations and learnings crammed into the space of a few days.

It is well-evidenced that regular breaks help our prefrontal cortex digest information more efficiently, reinvigorate motivation, increase productivity and consolidate memory [1]. In particular, more creative forms of expression are invaluable as respite and enhancing learning, growth, focus, and knowledge retainment: “...the results suggest that creative partnership contributes to improved levels of attainment.” [2]

Compassionate creation will act as a change of pace, in which participants can lean into creativity and learn from doing. Whilst there are undeniable benefits for all - regardless of neurotype - creative expression is especially encouraged for neurodivergent folk who are particularly susceptible to burnout in such overwhelming, fast-paced learning environments [3]. Given the interrelation of mental ill-health, Lived Experience professionals, and those in clinical roles with neurodivergence, this is an essential consideration in improving accessibility of the conference.

In Compassionate Creation, participants will not only learn about Integrity Initiative but also actively contribute to it whilst engaging their creative brain.

Integrity Initiative is a unique blend of Lived Experience expertise, clinical and therapeutic approaches, and established, reputable mental health organisations throughout Western Australia created and led by youth with multifaceted and intersectional experiences across mental ill-health, disability, queerness, homelessness, AOD, neurodivergence, chronic illness, cultural and linguistic diversity and beyond.

“Caring with Integrity’ is Integrity Initiative’s inaugural project on its mission to humanise mental health treatment through care packages, self-advocacy resources, community engagement events, and educational workshops. Guiding values of dignity, justice, acceptance, empowerment and diversity aim to address arguably the greatest issue facing mental health services and consumers of mental health in today’s world - denial of human rights [4]. Unfortunately, instances in which a person’s human rights are violated are not uncommon, as supported by direct statements from those who have experienced it published in academic literature: ‘The staff wouldn't release me… so that I could use the washroom. They brought me a bedpan but did not change the bed sheets for me, even though they were contaminated. They only un-cuffed one hand for me to eat … I couldn't do anything. It was just like being chained up in a prison.’ [5]

In line with the conference theme “Envisioning 2025: better mental health”, Caring With Integrity dares to be bold. It goes where other services don’t, masterfully pushing the boundaries of the biomedical model of health and reaching into human rights and social models all in pursuit of a system that is effective, dignifying, and in which iatrogenic harm is a rarity.

The 90-minute creative workshop will contribute material items to be used in this project and will generate community awareness whilst acting as a ‘brain break’ to enhance participant’s retention of information. Furthermore there will also be an opportunity for participants to network and build connections with new people through organic and meaningful discussion.

Following the conference, the members of the Integrity Army will translate the creative outputs, takeaway learnings and reflections will also be collated into a community zine (short magazine), which participants can request a copy of. This in itself will be a memento of the conference and a reminder of what was learned that can be taken away and shared with wider networks.

How we will use the 90 minutes:
• 10 minutes: RoLE, AoC, introduction of Integrity Initiative goals, values and missions
• 5 minutes: Briefly discuss the importance of creativity in Peer work (research-backed efficacy and acceptance of imperfection).
• 5 minutes: Description of creative activities.
1. Writing cards/ letters to include in Integrity packages - these will be supplied by Integrity Initiative
2. Painting/ decorating mini canvases or small paper squares, which will then be collated for the magazine (which will be created independently by the Integrity Initiative team following the conference).
3. Decorating palm cards/ affirmation cards with tips, tricks, affirmations and words of encouragement for inclusion in Integrity packages
NOTE - all of these activities will be guided by prompts based off the 2025 conference theme of ‘Envisioning 2025’. There will also be support at each table to guide the participants to work through the activities
• 45 minutes: Engage in creative activities whilst connecting with peers.
• 5 minutes: Participants brainstorm on their tables how to integrate creativity into their practice and what they have learned
• 10 minutes: Translate key takeaways and highlights onto sticky notes and contribute to a whole-group ideas board. This will shape the zine.
• 5 minutes: Brief reflection and recap of key learnings.
• 5 minutes: Fill in feedback forms/ survey and participants asked if they want to contribute any further to the zine and if they would like to receive copies of the completed zine.