Lived Experience of Suicide Summit 2025

The ‘Integration of Lived Experience into Program Design’ workshop provides insight into suicide through the lens of those who have experienced it, introducing participants to a different way of thinking about suicide and how they can best integrate the voices and perspectives of people with lived experience of suicide when planning and implementing suicide prevention programs and services.

You will be guided through a process of considering how you can plan and create meaningful engagements where lived experience insights are valued and embedded at every step of design. Gain insights into key considerations for consulting and co-designing with people with lived experience including:

• Understanding the role of people with lived experience of suicide
• The importance of safe language & imagery​
• Guiding principles for engaging with people with lived experience of suicide​
• Recruiting relevant and diverse perspectives​
• Co-designing with people with lived experience ​
• Honouring lived experience expertise

This workshop is designed for organisations, workplaces and teams seeking to develop their understanding and skills in the designing of suicide prevention services and programs.

Collaborating to Create Change has been designed for lived experience of suicide advocates and representatives wanting to further develop the knowledge and skills required to effectively contribute to suicide prevention reform across the full spectrum of opportunities to create change.

It provides participants with an opportunity to (individually and collectively) explore, and reflect on, the unique challenges of working in collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders, including navigating complex power dynamics and remaining connected to the core purpose of lived experience work: improving outcomes for people and communities affected by suicide.

On completion of this workshop, you can expect to be able to:

• Recognise and value the collective strengths of diverse lived experience movements to create change
• Understand the history of the lived experience of suicide movement in Australia and its role in large-scale reform
• Hold a basic understanding of the contemporary policy & sector environment
• Reflect on where you are in your advocacy journey
• Hold a basic understanding of systemic barriers to change
• Reflect on power in the context of lived experience advocacy within suicide prevention
• Consider power imbalances through an intersectional lens
• Identify and value your strengths as an advocate & future opportunities to create change