Too often a lived experience of suicide is an isolating experience. Personally, my lived experience is as a carer for my partner for several years, followed by navigating my suicide bereavement after he took his own life. During both experiences I felt incredibly alone.
I always knew I wanted to use these experiences to influence, educate and inform – but I did not know where to start. My isolation prevented me from speaking about my experiences. It also made finding avenues to use my voice almost impossible to find. Were others in my situation as paralysed by their own isolation as I was? A situation fed by stigma and shame. Ironically, speaking of suicide is the simplest way to break down stigma and shame. A catch-22 situation.
In my presentation I will discuss my own personal lived experience journey – from being a carer for my partner, to my bereavement after his death by suicide. I will then discuss how I found my voice and my communities – breaking free of my isolation. Where I learnt the power of numbers, as our voices united to inform and change, to create the kind of hope and healing that leads to bright futures for everyone. Initially through volunteering in the suicide prevention space, to my mid life career change to a fully lived experience peer worker role in a large public health organisation and everything in between. It is the journey of finding my “why” and never forgetting my passion.
Lived experience voices are much more powerful when united, working in harmony. Finding my community felt almost impossible, but once I did, the connection enabled me to heal more than I ever could on my own. I felt seen. I felt heard. Most importantly I felt the power of my experience and its ability to provide hope to others. Where there is hope, there is a brighter future awaiting all of us.
This is my own personal story and hopefully it will help others who are feeling the isolation of their lived experience of suicide. It is truly a story of hope, healing and connection.