Mind is delighted to announce the appointment of Rana Te Huia as the Lived Experience Service Establishment Manager of Victoria’s first Lived Experience Residential Service.
Rana is already on site in Moolap, in Greater Geelong, overseeing its refurbishment in preparation for its first guests when the innovative new service opens.
The residence will provide free short-term support in a home-like setting for people experiencing mental health crisis and distress. The service is designed - and will be run by - a highly experienced and skilled peer workforce. The new service is in response to a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and is funded by the Department of Health.
For Rana, the service will be an important opportunity to pay it forward for lifechanging support she received earlier in her life, from a peer respite service in New Zealand.
“I’ve waited to do a project like this for the longest, longest time,” Rana said. “I was in psychiatric care a lot when I was younger and when I went to a peer respite service it was a turning point in my life.”
“Up until that time I thought my life would be pills and an invalid pension, sitting at home watching TV and being a good mental patient. Then I met these peer workers – people with the same diagnosis as me who were thriving – they had jobs and homes and families.”
“It inspired me that medication was not the only solution and there were other ways to live a good life on your own terms. For me, medication was still an important part of my living a good life but only along with a whole lot of other things. I learned how to bring myself to a better place.”
Full of possibility, Rana went to university and studied Health Sciences and Eastern Medicine. It was the beginning of a new life and career in lived experience-led mental health support. Most recently, Rana has been the General Manager of Balance Aotearoa (New Zealand), which provides peer support, advocacy, and information services for tāngata whai ora (people with lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction).
“The Lived Experience Residential Service is very exciting for me. I’m passionate about making a difference for people and this is something people can guide themselves to without going through the mental health system.”
Mind Executive Director, Lived Experience, Katie Larsen said Mind is thrilled to have Rana as the Lived Experience Service Establishment Manager.
“We are so grateful to have Rana joining Mind in this critical role. Rana brings many years of Lived Experience Leadership in Aotearoa. In particular, we welcome her deep knowledge and experience in peer governed and run organisations and services, commitment to human rights informed practices, and insight and commitment to First Nations healing and wisdom,” Katie said.
About the Lived Experience Residential Service
Victoria’s first Lived Experience Residential Service is in Moolap, a suburb in Greater Geelong. Mind is delivering the groundbreaking Victorian Government service with strong local support from Barwon Health.
Opening in 2026, the Lived Experience Residential Service will offer up to nine beds for anyone aged 18 and over experiencing high levels of distress, as an alternative to other acute services. Guests will have their own room in a warm, home-like space and will be able to stay anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks, depending on their needs.
The service’s Peer team will work with guests on their wellbeing journey, and provides an environment to build family and community connections, to ensure they have continued support when they are ready to leave the service.
Staff at the service will also help guests connect with additional supports if required. This might include connecting with community and social groups.
The Lived Experience Residential Service will open this year.