The Language and Practice of Suicide-Centered Lived Experience is an interactive workshop that provides practical ways communities, groups, and organizations can incorporate suicide-centered lived experience expertise into their suicide prevention efforts. This workshop breaks common lived experience “talking points” down into defined and measurable terms. It also provides realistic approaches to evaluating lived experience program outcomes to ensure efforts are concrete and intentional.

Key concepts: Lived Experience, Outcomes and Measures, Language, Best Practices
 

Learning Objectives

1. Upon completion, participants will have learned comprehensive approaches to including lived experience perspectives (beyond peer work and storytelling) in their efforts.

2. Upon completion, participants will see the ways superficial lived experience engagement strategies have perpetuated stigma and reduced visibility for those with lived experience.

3. Upon completion, participants will have learned deeper ways to engage and include those with lived experience in public events and other opportunities.

4. Upon completion, participants will have clear examples and strategies for measuring lived experience program outcomes and reporting engagement and program successes to invested parties.

Presented by: 

Susie [수지] Reynolds Reece:

Susie [수지] Reynolds Reece is the director of lived experience initiatives for the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC). Reece leads the development of multi-organizational inclusion practices, liaises with and advises national lived experience experts, and builds international guidance for centering lived experience in any field. Reece also bolsters lived experience engagement by cultivating lived experience experts from diverse experiential backgrounds and perspectives.

Will Hogan:

Hogan is a suicide prevention and crisis intervention expert and a suicide attempt survivor. He combines his lived experience with over five years of direct work in suicide prevention and crisis intervention settings. Hogan worked at Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners as a peer support specialist, statewide opioid specialist, and follow-up specialist. In these roles, he provided support and resources to individuals struggling with suicidal ideation, mental health concerns, and opioid dependence, as well as those recently discharged from hospital settings with suicide or substance use concerns. Hogan also worked at the Trevor Project as a training coordinator, helping volunteers and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline contractors prepare to take calls on both Trevor’s services and the 988 Lifeline LGBTQ+ push-to-connect.

Colleen Sulaitis:

Colleen Sulaitis is a dedicated and passionate lived experience leader committed to working toward equity and empowering individuals with diverse lived experience. She leverages her expertise and compassion to prioritize and center the perspectives of individuals with suicide centered lived experience in the work of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and across the world.

Continuing Education Units: 2 CEUs

This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here*. It is also approved for PRSS(S), CHW, and Prevention by the Nevada Certification Board