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New research has emphasised the need for greater guidance and support for people with a lived and living experience of suicide to safely tell their stories as part of prevention efforts.
The study, published this week in the journal BMJ Public Health, also reinforces “the need for a nuanced and ethical approach to public discussions about suicide – one that prioritises dignity, agency and the well-being of those sharing their stories while fostering meaningful social change”.
The research, carried out by Everymind in partnership with members of its Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG), found that appropriate support and guidance was essential for people with lived and living experience “due to the unique nature, skillset required and demands of public storytelling”.
More than 300 people contributed to the research project via a national online survey, with the results also informing the development of Our stories matter: Sharing lived and living experiences of suicide publicly, Australia’s first comprehensive guidelines for sharing personal experiences of suicide safely.
Guidance for media and public communication professionals supporting advocates and lived and living experience storytellers was also developed as part of the Our stories matter project.
Co-author and Everymind Lived Experience Advisory Group member Megan Barrow said that stories of suicide and survival often go untold despite their potential to inspire hope as part of prevention efforts “if we give space, time and patience to hear them.”
“We need greater diversity of stories,” Barrow said. “For this to occur, we also need better awareness of lived experience pathways with education and support.”
“I hope this research paper and accompanying resources deliver greater consideration on what’s important in suicide prevention and the stories we tell. Because all stories matter – we matter.”
Fellow LEAG member and co-author Jon Eddy, said he believed the research, along with the Our stories matter resource suite would help those considering telling their stories prepare themselves for the “potential pitfalls of engaging with the media but also the benefits”.
“We must help people with a lived experience of suicide to step up and do this incredibly important work with the media by both training them to be able to do it effectively but also by warning them around such things as burn out and the other dangers associated with sharing their stories.”
The Mindframe resource suite Our stories matter: Sharing lived and living experiences of suicide publicly, features a range of guides including advice to avoid burnout, self-care, and a workbook to help storytellers to prepare for the whole process.
It also includes interviews with lived and living experience advocates providing their own perspectives and advice based on their own experiences navigating the media and other public forums when telling their stories for suicide prevention efforts.
Study co-author and former Everymind Senior Project Officer Emma Pryse Jones, who helped lead the study and development of the Our stories matter resources, said it was vital to recognise the “real human cost to advocacy and storytelling.”
“These results provide a pathway for the future of public communication about suicide for a more inclusive approach to suicide prevention,” Pryse Jones said.
“The project team would like to share our heartfelt gratitude to those who shared their experiences with us so generously and our working group partners.
“It was a privilege to engage with others’ experiences and collaborate on a project with clear practical implications.”