Lived Experience Advisory Group

Rachel Stewart, Victoria

I lost my brother Don to suicide when I was 15 years old, and my father Doug to suicide when I was 26 years old.

Joining the Standby Lived Experience Advisory Group has been very important to me, as at the time the loss of both my brother and father was met with silence. There was no support from family, school or friends. People didn’t talk about suicide then, and all thought it was best to keep quiet, which was very confusing for me. I felt it was best not to ask any questions, the message was loud and clear, this was not to be discussed.

What would you like to see the group achieve? I would love the Lived Experience Group to be able to give those who have lost someone they love to suicide a voice to speak out, in order to receive help and support, and gain true understanding from those who have experienced such loss.

What have you gained by taking part?  By taking part in the Lived Experience Group I have found my own voice, which has been incredibly healing for me. I recently moved to a small town in rural Victoria, and they were holding a community forum entitled “Are You Concerned About Suicide?”. I went along, and finally felt ready to speak. I been part of the formation of a local suicide prevention, stigma reduction and bereavement support group, and a facilitator of our Peer Support Group for people bereaved by suicide. Most important though is that I now have a group of dear friends from the Lived Experience Group who I know really understand what I have been through.

 

What would you like the public to know about suicide?            I would like the public to know that when you lose someone to suicide, you need to talk about it. Please don’t look the other way or pretend it hasn’t happened for fear of upsetting me or embarrassing yourself. I could not be more upset, and I welcome your attempt at walking this path with me. Your honest feelings of loss and confusion are the same as mine, and I need to share it with you. Everyone who has lived through suicide loss needs support, and as a member of the Lived Experience Group I am proud to be able to offer such care and concern for those who are grieving and enhance the voice of lived experience to help others find their own voice.

Find out more about the Lived Experience Advisory Group
Rachel Stewart, Victoria
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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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