Lived Experience Advisory Group

Kirsty Talbot-Male, South Australia

When I lost my husband to suicide 13 years ago there was very little support available and I had to navigate this difficult journey with the help of family and friends who were also grieving. StandBy was not yet available in my area.  During my road to recovery I was determined that support would be available in the future. When I found StandBy 2 years ago, I shared my story at a number of workshops, but I still wanted to do more.

By joining the Advisory Group, I can now provide input into decisions about processes and practices and help with educational materials and action plans for StandBy.  I really want to ensure that StandBy is available to all Australians.

What would you like to see the group achieve? As a group I believe we have a powerful combined voice of Lived Experience. We can speak from the heart, be ambassadors for StandBy on political platforms, support the development of resources and processes. We can share our stories and work together to reduce the stigma of talking about suicide and support the community to look after everyone’s mental health.

What have you gained by taking part? 

By taking this opportunity I have learnt so much from other group members, we all understand the journey and support each other.  We work together to educate communities, we strive to prevent suicide as well as support others bereaved by suicide. I have received training, attended conferences to keep up with current research and practices. I now feel confident to speak up about the appropriate language to use when talking about suicide. The most important thing I have gained is the knowledge of StandBy and to promote this amazing service and the wonderful people who are there to help!

What would you like the public to know about suicide?            I would like everyone to know that there is hope after suicide. It can happen to anyone. The more we talk about suicide the more chance we can help save lives. If we all do our part, we can make a difference.

Find out more about the Lived Experience Advisory Group
Kirsty Talbot-Male, South Australia
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StandBy is QIP Accredited as an organisation. Implemented by Suicide Prevention Australia and assessed by independent, not-for-profit accreditation provider, Quality Innovation Performance Limited (QIP), the Suicide Prevention Accreditation Program supports organisations to deliver safe, high-quality and effective suicide prevention and postvention programs.

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StandBy respectfully acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as Australia’s First People and Traditional Custodians. We value their cultures, identities, continuing connection to country, waters, kin and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and emerging. We are committed to making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, by providing services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive.

StandBy acknowledges and pays respect to elders, advocates, activists, and allies of our LGBTIQA+SB communities. We affirm the support provided and acknowledge the cost involved in standing up for the rights of LGBTIQA+SB people.

StandBy recognises and honours the continued contribution of those with a lived experience of suicide bereavement. The courage, insight and wisdom of these unique experiences, strengthens the work that we do. We also acknowledge and remember the lives that have ended due to suicide and we encourage ongoing support and care for yourself and each other.

StandBy – An initiative of Youturn jointly funded by the Australian Commonwealth, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland and Victorian Governments.

For immediate crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or QLife on 1800 184 527 or 13yarn.org.au on 13 92 76. In case of an emergency, call 000.

StandBy Head Office
1B Maud Street,
Nambour
QLD 4560

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