Since its inception, the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative has centred the insight and experiential wisdom of people with a lived experience of suicide in the development and implementation of collective suicide prevention activities across the region. The lived experience voice is very much woven into the fabric of how and who the Collaborative is.

What is lived experience?

Roses in the Ocean defines lived experience of suicide as "having experienced suicidal thoughts, survived a suicide attempt, cared for someone through suicidal crisis, or been bereaved by suicide."

Why does lived experience matter?

According to Roses in the Ocean, people with a lived experience of suicide "bring insight, wisdom and perspective that is critical to informing the best approaches to reducing emotional distress and pain and saving lives". When people with a lived experience are supported to use their voices with confidence and purposes, they have enormous potential to facilitate "impactful local suicide prevention solutions that drive positive changes in culture and services, contributing to healthy and sustainable communities."

Voices of In-Sight training

Many people within our communities have a lived experience of suicide. Some have experienced thoughts of suicide or survived a suicide attempt; some are carers to others who experience suicidal crisis; and some continue to endure the loss of someone they loved who has died by suicide.

The voice, insight and wisdom of people with a lived experience of suicide are critically important to enrich the work of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative.

In July 2022, the Collaborative will be offering a 'Voices of In-Sight' workshop.

The Roses in the Ocean VOICES OF IN-SIGHT workshop offers a unique opportunity to reflect on your lived experience and learn how to share your personal story for greatest impact and influence and become a member of the ‘Voices of In-Sight’ Speakers Hub.  This is a deep dive into your lived experience which leads to meaningful, impactful conversations and presentations.

All Roses in the Ocean capacity-building workshops are lived experience informed, designed and delivered by professional facilitators who also have a personal lived experience of suicide.

The Voices of In-Sight speakers program is a highly reflective, facilitated process where you are afforded the gift of time… time to reflect and explore your own story, time to connect with others who have walked in similar shoes, time to hear different perspectives of suicide, and time to develop a structured, well messaged story that will have a positive impact on whoever has the privilege of hearing it.

To find out more, please read the flyer.

Please read 'Readiness to be involved in suicide prevention' before expressing your interest in the training.

Details on how to express your interest in participating can also be found in the flyer above.

Or to get in touch with Mark Ellis, our Lived Experience Coordinator, please email us at suicideprevention@coordinare.org.au

Please note, Mark only works Thursday and Fridays.