Lived Experience

Leveraging Lived Experience for Impactful Suicide Prevention and Recovery: Research Findings from the European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behavior in Rome

Leveraging Lived Experience for Impactful Suicide Prevention and Recovery: Research Findings from the European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behavior in Rome

Last week, I found myself deeply inspired by the symposium at the European Symposium on Suicide and Suicidal Behavior (#ESSSB20) in Rome, where profound discussions unfolded about the critical importance of integrating the wisdom of those with lived and living experiences into every aspect of suicide prevention and recovery. 

7 Key Reasons Why Lived Experience Matters in Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

7 Key Reasons Why Lived Experience Matters in Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

Lived experience is the heartbeat of suicide prevention, breathing life into data and transforming theoretical strategies into real-world impact. By centering the voices of those who have navigated suicidal thoughts, behaviors, or grief, we gain insights that go beyond statistics—insights that are rooted in the emotional, social, and personal realities of the human experience. Incorporating lived experience ensures that suicide prevention efforts not only address the complexities of mental health but do so in a way that is empathetic, adaptable, and truly person-centered. These voices bring richness to our understanding, fostering innovative, humane approaches that lead to genuine healing and change.

Zero Suicide Global Summit Highlights and Insights on the Healthcare System and Suicide Prevention

Zero Suicide Global Summit Highlights and Insights on the Healthcare System and Suicide Prevention

Last month I attended the Zero Suicide Global Summit in Liverpool, England with 110 global attendees from 22 countries and all continents (except Antarctica). The event is part of an international movement to transform healthcare systems and to aspire to “zero suicides.”

Part 2: Standing in Solidarity for Suicide Prevention -- Healing from Communal Wounding

Part 2: Standing in Solidarity for Suicide Prevention -- Healing from Communal Wounding

As the suicide prevention movement has evolved, some of our groups have experienced communal wounding. Communal wounding occurs when generations of the complex systemic oppression and culture level prejudice have been ignored in favor of surface-level activities (van der Watt, 2019). Because we were not sufficiently providing opportunities for all members of the movement to acknowledge these wounds and because many of us did not look into the mirror of our own lived experience, we continued to inflict new sources of harm.

“Suicidal Intensity”: An Emerging Preferred Term to Describe Experiences with Suicidal Thoughts and Feelings

“Suicidal Intensity”: An Emerging Preferred Term to Describe Experiences with Suicidal Thoughts and Feelings

“Suicide ideation” — that’s what mental health providers usually call it. 

To the general public, this often sounds “jargony”. They say, “ideation — like what do you mean…like thoughts?” And we say, “Yeah…like thoughts…”

And they say, “Well then just say thoughts…” 

“Thoughts” though, don’t really capture the experience fully for most people…

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: Mental Health in the Workplace

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: Mental Health in the Workplace

Are you in HR? An employment lawyer? Someone with lived experience with mental health or suicide who was working at the time you experienced a mental health issue while employed? If so — we want to hear from you! Please, take our 15-20 minute survey. This research project is a collaborative effort among Dr. Anthony Fulginiti of the University of Denver, Judge (Ret.) Mary McClatchey, the Employers Council and United Suicide Survivors International (through me!).

ANNOUNCEMENT: Results from National Survey on Workplace Suicide Prevention Guidelines

ANNOUNCEMENT: Results from National Survey on Workplace Suicide Prevention Guidelines

Today the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention's Workplace Task Force in partnership with United Suicide Survivors International and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention shared preliminary data from a national survey on workplace suicide prevention.

From Awareness to Action: Kickstarting a Revolution in Suicide Prevention with Social Courage

From Awareness to Action: Kickstarting a Revolution in Suicide Prevention with Social Courage

It seems fitting that on this day — July 4th — I should write a little something about kickstarting a revolution.

June was overwhelming for many in my suicide prevention tribe — the scientists, advocates, clinicians, crisis call-takers, peer supporters, and many people with all forms of lived experience with suicide — as many of us were called upon to respond to the seemingness constant barrage of tragic news about suicide and trauma.

Get Ready for National Suicide Prevention Week: How to Effectively Message about Suicide

Get Ready for National Suicide Prevention Week: How to Effectively Message about Suicide

Question: Is our hyper-focus on “safe messaging” getting in the way of “effective messaging”?...

For years, suicide prevention advocates have focused on “safe messaging,” a series of do’s and don’ts that emphasize help-seeking and discourage mentioning suicide details. The goal of these suggestions is to avoid triggering vulnerable people to over-identify with suicide as a way to escape their emotional pain. Many of these tips – like don’t glamorize or romanticize suicide --are beneficial, and we certainly don’t want our content to cause harm. But I and many others are starting to recognize that a single-minded focus on "safe messaging" may be getting in the way of us being effective in our communication....

5 Take-Aways from the International Association for Suicide Prevention World Congress in Kuching, Malaysia

5 Take-Aways from the International Association for Suicide Prevention World Congress in Kuching, Malaysia

The International Association for Suicide Prevention World Congress took place in Kuching, Malaysia, with over 600 delegates from over 50 countries present. The theme was “Preventing Suicide: A Global Commitment from Communities to Continents." Here are the five themes I’d like to share with you...