Workshop or Forum (max 3.5 hours) National Suicide Prevention Conference 2026

Ethical lived experience practice across the spectrum of suicide (131302)

Hope Carberry 1 , Amy Bertakis 2 3
  1. Standby Support After Suicide, Youturn, NSW, Australia
  2. Roses in the Ocean, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  3. Rose in the Ocean, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Abstract
This workshop examines the intentional, ethical and sustainable use of lived experience (LE) across the spectrum of suicide lived experiences. Co-delivered with StandBy Support after Suicide and Roses in the Ocean, it blends practice principles with organisational enablers, so managers, current peer workers and aspiring workers leave with clear, practical next steps. Grounded in safety, choice and brief, purposeful sharing, the session shows how Lived Experience, when used thoughtfully, can reduce isolation, challenge myths and model hope without over-exposure or harm.

Designed for a mixed audience, the workshop explicitly supports informed fit: some participants will confirm readiness; others may land on “not yet” or “not for me” which are all respected outcomes. The structure includes:

(1) scene-setting and an optional, anonymous Mapping the Spectrum activity to acknowledge breadth of experience without disclosure;

(2) practical ethics of what/when/why/how to share (including indirect use, boundaries, supervision, privilege awareness and personal self-care practices before, during and after sharing);

(3) two-track breakouts—Managers/Organisations (role design, interview questions, onboarding, co-reflection cadence, micro-policies) and Current/Aspiring Workers (readiness self-assessment, boundaries card, short ethical-disclosure practice and self-care planning);

(4) organisational readiness with Roses in the Ocean resources and a mini design-sprint to draft one workable policy per table (including debrief/co-reflection and wellbeing supports); and

(5) realistic “day-in-role” reflections and red/amber/green indicators to support safe decision-making, alongside micro-habits for sustaining wellbeing.

Participants receive take-home tools: an ethical LE sharing cheat-sheet, a boundaries card (Share/Maybe/Never), a readiness self-assessment, six interview questions for managers, a first 90-days onboarding map, co-reflection templates and a self-care pack (pre-brief/debrief prompts, personal safety plan, and “micro-reset” strategies). Together, we focus on dignity, safety, and mutuality, ensuring that LE roles are purposeful and sustainable, and that our shared voices illuminate brighter futures across the suicide prevention ecosystem.

Learning outcomes

  1. Apply ethical LE sharing across suicidality, caring, attempts and bereavement—including indirect use.
  2. Distinguish readiness vs “not yet,” using practical red/amber/green indicators.
  3. Implement organisational supports (clear role design, onboarding, co-reflection/supervision cadence, micro-policies).
  4. Practise brief, relevant disclosures that return focus to the person and protect worker wellbeing.
  5. Develop a personal self-care plan linked to role demands, with pre-brief/debrief routines and micro-resets.