Time Commitment:Â Will vary month to month according to the needs of the project, but on average we expect
- 2026-2028: Approx. 7 hours/month
- 2029-2030: Approx. 2 hours/month
Compensation:
In Years 1 and 2, LEAP members will receive a monthly stipend of $245 USD.
In Years 3 and 4, LEAP members will receive a monthly stipend of $70 USD.
About the Mental Health Catalyst
The Mental Health Catalyst is a global initiative designed to accelerate the development of new, more effective interventions for clinically depressed mood. Led by IfM Engage, part of the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge, the program brings together researchers, innovators, policymakers, and people with lived experience to identify and prioritize high-impact opportunities for improving mental health outcomes.
Supported by Wellcome, the Catalyst applies innovation management and systems-based approaches developed at Cambridge to translate existing mental health research into practical, scalable interventions. Its mission is to help ensure that depressed mood becomes a short-lasting condition by enabling faster, more effective, and longer-lasting solutions that can be implemented at scale across diverse settings.
About the LEAP
Generation Mental Health Association (GenMH) is serving as the lived experience engagement partner on the Mental Health Catalyst. We are seeking members for a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) to serve as advisors to the program team, helping ensure the project is relevant, respectful, and grounded in real-world experiences. Members will contribute to research design, materials, interpretation of findings, and dissemination.
This is a paid advisory role for individuals with lived experience, not a call for research participants.
About Generation Mental Health Association 
Generation Mental Health Association (GenMH) is a global organization led by young people with lived experience of mental health challenges, for young people with lived experience. We are building a generation of mental health advocates, researchers, and innovators who represent the communities they serve.
For too long, global mental health has been shaped from the top down, where power and  privilege decides whose struggles are recognized, which research gets supported, and what solutions are valued. At GenMH, we believe people with lived experience of mental ill-health, especially those whose lives intersect with adversity and marginalisation are best placed to create innovative, culturally grounded, and justice-driven solutions for their communities.
Our mission is to elevate the voices of people with lived experience, challenge  inequitable power dynamics in mental health and empower those most affected by mental ill-health and related adversities to transform the well-being of their communities.
We do this by creating accessible opportunities for growth and leadership through mentorship, training and community-driven platforms that equip youth with lived experience of mental ill-health, distress and marginalisation to lead research, advocacy, and care initiatives.
What You’ll Do
As a LEAP member, you will:
- Provide input on research questions, priorities, and study design
- Review study materials
- Share insights to help interpret findings in ways that reflect lived realities
- Advise on how results should be shared with communities
- Flag ethical concerns, risks, or unintended impacts
- Participate in virtual meetings and occasional asynchronous feedback
- Work on thematically focused working groups across the project’s workstreams
This May Be The Right Fit For You If… 
We are seeking individuals with previous experience working from lived experience perspectives, meaning you likely have:
- Around 5 years of involvement in the mental health space
- This could include, but is not limited to, mental health advocacy, policy, research, or service delivery (e.g., peer support)
- Previous experience in utilizing lived experience in advisory, consultative, or co-design roles (e.g., advisory boards, research partnerships, advocacy groups)
- Experience contributing to research, policy, service design, or advocacy efforts
However, we recognize that not all individuals have had equitable access to lived experience leadership opportunities. Experiences of stigma, discrimination, and safety concerns may limit the ability to publicly identify as someone with lived experience, particularly for individuals from marginalized communities. We welcome applicants whose lived experience contributions may be less formal or visible. Your voice and perspectives are equally as valuable.
We are intentionally building a diverse LEAP and encourage applications from people with a wide range of:
- Geographic backgrounds
- Social positions, including racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Experiences with the mental health system
Support and Accommodations
We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive engagement environment where people with lived experience and those from underrepresented communities can thrive. We strive to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that all LEAP members can participate. These accommodations might include (but are not limited to) multiple methods of engagement, flexible scheduling, and pre-reading sent before meetings.We recognize that success is about having the right systems in place to support each person’s well-being, growth and contributions. We will actively work to remove barriers so that all team members can contribute to LEAP activities.
We recognize that individuals from the Global Majority and other historically excluded communities may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every listed qualification. If you’re excited about the LEAP but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. You may be the right person for the role.
