Lived Experience

LIVED EXPERIENCE AT SUICIDE PREVENTION AUSTRALIA

Lived experience is central to everything we do at Suicide Prevention Australia. Working with people who have lived experience of suicide allows us to better represent our members’ views and experiences to government and other external groups.

People with lived experience are uniquely placed to inform how we can support people through a crisis.

A lived experience of suicide can range from suicidal thoughts, surviving a suicide attempt, caring for someone through crisis, being bereaved by suicide or being touched by suicide in any way.

LIVED EXPERIENCE PANEL

The Lived Experience Panel was established in 2019 and we draw upon panel members for a variety of activities.

During the year we will be talking to our members, including the Lived Experience Panel, and advocating for practical solutions that will save lives.

Panel members may be interested in participating in some of the below:

1. Providing input into the development of policy and policy document review
2. Participation in committees
3. Training/conference/webinars
4. Providing input into suicide prevention service design

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Additional members to the Lived Experience Panel are recruited on a needs basis and will vary from state/territory to state/territory.  Currently we are looking for very limited applications from the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia.

We are encouraging applications from Priority Populations – Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, the LGBTIQ community, culturally and linguistically diverse people (CALD) and young people under the age of 30.

Please note all members of the Lived Experience Panel must be members of Suicide Prevention Australia. Click here for more information about membership.

After your expression of interest is received a member of the membership team will be in touch.

If you’re interested in joining the Lived Experience Panel, please email membership@suicidepreventionaust.org and tell us:

• Your full name, email and phone number
• If applicable, the organisation, group or network you represent
• A brief summary of your experience and expertise
• Specify your area of interest, for example Policy, Advocacy, Research, participation in committees
• Identify if you are currently a Suicide Prevention Australia member

The expression of interest form may include information about your lived experience of suicide. If you feel that this may be challenging, please contact:

ADULTS

Lifeline: 13 11 14 – lifeline.org.au

Suicide call back service: 1300 659 467 – suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 – mensline.org.au

YOUTH

Kids helpline: 1800 551 800 – kidshelpline.com.au

Headspace: 1800 650 890 – headspace.org.au

ReachOut: reachout.com

MORE RESOURCES

The below websites provide helpful information about lived experience.

Roses in the Ocean https://rosesintheocean.com.au/

Blue Voices https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-involved/bluevoices