As someone with a lived experience of suicide, it's natural to develop a level of distrust and prejudice based around your own experience of engaging with services over the course of your journey. In my case, it was accompanying my partner as his carer.
Not all these experiences were positive, and the fact that he had contact with many of these services in the days prior to his death by suicide has led me to develop perceptions, judgements and opinions based on my own individual experience of these services. I am sure I am not alone in this experience.
So, what happens when you end up working as a Lived Experience worker for the very system that you perceive let you down (and potentially did!)? A large public health conglomerate that includes those services that traumatised you. That can be a painful and difficult path to walk, but there is an opportunity for hope and healing.
How have I addressed my own internal prejudices, whilst still staying true to my core values? This is my own personal path, and it is a daily practice.
Hearing other people’s stories and being involved in the Lived Experience space allows me to have my own experiences validated. Being open and vulnerable and connecting with others to form a powerful wave of collective experience. This validation and connection enables me to self-reflect and focus on the power of my lived experience, allowing me to work together with services to create a better tomorrow – whilst still being aware of my internal opinions and prejudices.
Seeking opportunities to educate myself. Being open about my experiences within the organisation in which I work, acknowledging that my past experiences have the power to influence my current career. These actions take steps towards reconciling the past and working towards hope for the future.
This burden cannot fall on Lived Experience alone – organisations must also play a part. By listening to the Lived Experience voices and working together, we can work towards a tomorrow where this working arrangement is mutually beneficial and positive.
Lived Experience needs to be a key component of these programs, and in turn, Lived Experience and organisations should acknowledge any personal prejudice that may be carried into the role. Together we can learn from the experiences of the past and use them to work towards a better tomorrow.