The way Forward for Suicide Prevention - Peer Led Survivors of Suicide Attempts Support Groups

Pathways to hope, recovery, and wellness with insights from lived experience attempt survivors is essential in reducing suicides.

For far too many years suicide prevention has not engaged the perspectives of those who have lived through suicidal experiences, because of social stigma and fear, as well as personal shame, a culture of silence prevailed.

The field of suicide prevention and policy has rarely tapped the first-person knowledge of suicidal behavior and real-world wisdom that suicide attempt survivors bring to the table. This long-neglected “lived experience” can help save lives and provide hope to millions of people who survive a suicidal crisis each year.

Over time, a few attempt survivors such as myself and more have publicly disclosed that they had lived through a suicidal crisis, and some have become advocates and spokespersons in suicide prevention for community organisations. As a result of advocacy by both attempt survivors and those who have been bereaved are emerging as important partners in suicide prevention efforts resulting in a change on how we support those in suicidal crisis.

I hope that anyone who has ever had thoughts or feelings of suicide may gain hope and a sense of empowerment through connection to the strength and experience of those who have “been there" through Peer Led Support Groups.

The Wanneroo & Communities Suicide Prevention Network in collaboration and support from community and service providers has now launched the - L.I.F.E - Living is For Everyone Survivors of Suicide Attempt Support Group which was a project for nearly two years. The group has been adapted with feedback and input from those who have Lived Experience to build on the capacity of attempt survivors and to empower peers.

Originally developed in 2011 at the Didi Hirsch’s Suicide Prevention Center, in Los Angeles, USA and because of the value of this attempt survivors’ support group, it was chosen by California stakeholders to be further enhanced into a best practice that would then be submitted to the SPRC’s Best Practices Registry in the USA having positive results globally.

The development of the program was made possible through input from attempt survivors, suicide prevention experts, and researchers and is reflection of individual passions, organizational attention, and community collaboration. The Wanneroo and Communities Suicide Prevention Network wish to thank Neami National Suicide Prevention Team, the Wanneroo Sports and Social Club, Changing Lives Australia and also 89.7FM in particular.

“(The group) made me not afraid to ask for help. Without this, I don’t know what I would do.” - Support Group Participant

Why a Survivors of Suicide Attempt Support Group?

The group strives to address both the emotional and practical needs of its members. First and foremost, the group is meant to provide an opportunity for participants to connect with peers who share similar experiences. The initial weeks of the group focuses on creating bonds between group participants and facilitators that allow members to feel safe in sharing their thoughts and emotions related to their suicide attempt. The focus and importance of the Peer Led Group expands to include an emphasis on tools and skills that will help members to stay safe from a future suicide attempt. This is achieved by;

• Fostering hope and help people find meaning and purpose in life
• Preserve dignity and counter stigma, shame, and discrimination
• Connect people to peer supports
• Promote community connectedness
• Engage and support family and friends
• Respect and support cultural, ethnic, and/or spiritual beliefs and traditions
• Promote choice and collaboration in care
• Provide timely access to care and support 

Listen to the Promo on Road to Recovery 89.7FM

Eligibility Requirements

• Adults aged 18 years and over who have survived an attempt or attempts are eligible for the group.
• The group typically has six to eight participants and meets for eight weeks.
• Participants are required to complete an intake interview with a facilitator prior to attending the group which is approximately 20 minutes.
• The group is closed to additional participants once an eight-week cycle begins, so all participants are committed and to and available to attend all 8 support group sessions.
• Members of the group are motivated to participate in the group and also practice new skills learnt outside of the group.
• Are committed to creating and utilising a wellbeing and safety plan to stay safe.
• Are engaged with a mental health professional or GP OR interested in being supported by a Peer Mental Health Support Worker with Lived Experience through a community service provider

The Facilitators

Katherine Houareau has experienced first hand bereavement, ideation and survived attempts at taking her own life from her teens to her early forties. Today she uses her experience and insight as a Lived Experience Consultant to the Mental Health Commission and sits on the steering committee for the WA Suicide Prevention Plan 2021-2025 and also the Co-Leadership Safety and Quality Mental Health Steering Group. Katherine Chairs the Wanneroo and Communities Suicide Prevention Network which is supported by Wesley Life Force with more than 110 suicide prevention networks across Australia in both metropolitan and regional areas.  She is a passionate Lived Experience Leader and is a Lifeline WA Ambassador, a My Time My Story Family Domestic Violence Media Advocate for Ruah Community Services. Her training is diverse, combining both clinical and a holistic approach and includes Mental Health Support Work, Health & Wellness Coaching, Hypnotherapy, Reiki Master, Trauma informed care and other trainings. Currently she is undertaking a Post Graduate Certificate in Suicide Prevention at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research at Prevention at Griffith University.

Robyn Terry’s experience is based on more than 10 years in the community services sector with post graduate qualifications and professional development in a wide range of contexts which include; Counselling, Public Health, Alcohol and other Drugs and Mental Health, Aboriginal Studies, Women’s Health Issues and Criminology. Her personal journey with suicide is through bereavement and coaching Telephone Crisis Support Operator at Lifeline WA.

Group dates, times and locations

• The support group will be commencing week of the Monday 17th March 2020 and ending in week commencing 21st May 2020 with a variety of days and locations.
• Time: 2 hours (weekly)
• Where: Various locations across Perth both North and South

If you are interested to learn more about this program or to join as a participant please contact Katherine Houareau, Chair of the Wanneroo and Communities Suicide Prevention Network via their Facebook Page,Facebook by email at [email protected] or directly via LinkedIn for an application or mobile 0407 382 643.