Suicide is something many people have encountered, whether through their own struggles or those of someone they know. But it’s not often spoken about openly. At the heart of our inclusive Suicide Prevention training project for high-risk communities is the idea that sharing diverse lived experiences can break down barriers and build understanding surrounding how to inclusively support someone feeling suicidal and save lives.
Lived Experience Shapes Mental Health Workshops
Our inclusive suicide prevention training was co-produced with the voices of LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and migrant communities. It is designed to be sensitive and considerate of varied experiences and needs. To show the human side of what we do, we’re sharing insights from the team who made this happen. Chrissy Dillon, Suicide Prevention Capacity Builder Manager, reflected on her journey and why this work is so meaningful to her.
Chrissy’s Story
“Many people have lived experience of suicide, either by someone they know having taken their own life or when someone close to them have had thoughts of suicide. It may also be personal experience of feeling suicidal.”
“My life has had many touch points with suicide, beginning when someone close to me experienced suicidal thoughts and plans to take their own life when we were teenagers. Difficult circumstances at home, led to feelings of helplessness and loneliness which escalated over time to suicidal thoughts and plans. At this time of my life, I knew nothing about suicidality, how to support them or what to do.”
“Unfortunately, suicide and its impacts were something I was faced with again in early adulthood, where a person I had been to school with took their own life. It was a shock. The person had always been the life and soul of any party, and it took me time to come to terms with the contradictory nature of suicide, that outwardly displayed behaviours were not what was being felt internally.”
“It was that tragedy that led me to Samaritans, to become a Listening Volunteer. I learned a huge amount about suicide, about how it is often hidden in plain sight and that everyone had different experiences, the importance of empathy and asking questions about suicide.”
“After volunteering for some time, I left due to increased personal commitments. Suicide has always been something I have been passionate about which is what led me to the suicide prevention project. Knowing that we are training people to notice the signs of suicidal thoughts, ask directly about suicide and provide signposting and support for those that have thoughts of suicide, makes me feel like I’m making a real difference across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire.”
What this means for the Suicide Prevention Capacity Builder Project
Chrissy’s story highlights why lived experience is crucial in suicide prevention work and training. It shows us that suicide is often hidden and that understanding and empathy are key to making a difference in learning how to support someone feeling suicidal. The STOP Suicide [GU1] training takes this understanding and channels it into practical tools that anyone can use to support someone in crisis.
The Suicide Prevention training reflects Chrissy’s experience and the voices of many others who contributed. By co-producing it with people from diverse communities, we ensure it is sensitive, inclusive, and relevant.
Creating a Lasting Impact with Inclusive Mental Health Training
The STOP Suicide training was created to empower individuals to recognise the signs of suicidal thoughts, start meaningful conversations, and provide compassionate support. Designed with inclusivity at its core, the training is an introduction to the unique needs of high-risk communities: neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and migrant communities, as well as the wider public. Ensuring inclusive suicide prevention training means we can also help to equip the wider public with the bespoke knowledge to provide LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent and Migrant community mental health support, as well as develop a stronger understanding of the community specific resources available to aid those around you.
By encouraging understanding and empathy, we aim to create a world where no one has to face suicidal thoughts alone, hope thrives, and lives are saved.