In Conversation With… Joanne Brinsden

What does it take to ensure whānau voices are not only heard, but genuinely reflected in mental health and addiction services?

In the latest In Conversation With…, we meet Joanne Brinsden, Lived Experience whānau project lead at Te Pou, whose personal lived experience and professional journey have shaped a deep commitment to strengthening the voice of whānau across the sector.

Joanne shares what led her to this mahi, the importance of recognising lived and living experience as expertise, and her hopes for a stronger, more visible and valued whānau workforce across Aotearoa.

In conversation with Joanne Brinsden

Joanne Brinsden recently joined Te Pou as Lived Experience whānau project lead, bringing a combination of personal lived experience, professional expertise, and a passion for creating meaningful change for whānau across the mental health and addiction sector in Aotearoa. Drawing on her own experiences, Joanne is committed to ensuring whānau voices are heard, valued, and reflected in the way services are designed and delivered.

Before entering the mental health sector, Joanne spent more than 20 years working in account management and sales. Seeking work with greater purpose, she completed a Health Science degree and transitioned into roles focused on improving outcomes for people and whānau. Most recently, she worked as a whānau advisor within specialist mental health services, advocating for greater recognition and support for families navigating mental health and addiction challenges.

When asked what achievement she is most proud of, Joanne points to the work still ahead.

“My biggest achievement is yet to come. Working alongside the sector to develop the first Mental Health and Addiction Whānau Workforce Strategy and Action Plan is mahi that is incredibly important to me. I hope it strengthens the whānau workforce and benefits whānau, tangata whaiora, and communities across Aotearoa.”

The strategy and action plan will focus on understanding, supporting, and growing the whānau workforce while ensuring whānau perspectives are embedded across services and systems.

Like many working to create change, Joanne acknowledges that navigating complex systems can be challenging. However, she says it has taught her the importance of resilience, patience, and remembering that meaningful change takes time.

“You can’t change the world in one day, but every step forward matters.”

Looking ahead, Joanne would like to see greater recognition of the knowledge and expertise that comes from lived and living experience. She believes the voices of both tangata whaiora and whānau should be valued as essential sources of insight that can help shape more effective and responsive services.

For emerging leaders, her advice is simple: learn from those who came before you, find the right peers and allies to guide and support you along the way, and never let anyone dim your shining light.

As she begins this role, Joanne looks forward to working with whānau, lived experience leaders, and sector partners to help build a stronger, more visible, and valued whānau workforce for the future.