The Power of Human Connections: Improving the Treatment of Suicidality with the insights of Lived Experience-Handout: Slides

Handout: Slides

Pdf Summary

The document titled "The Power of Human Connections: Improving the Treatment of Suicidality with the Insights of Lived Experience" discusses the importance of incorporating lived experience in suicide prevention and mental health treatment. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aims to advance the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.<br /><br />The document highlights the value of personal transformative struggle, including suicidal intensity, throughout history and literature. It raises the question of how to support individuals in "growing through" their suicidal intensity without taking harmful action.<br /><br />The document mentions that approximately 50 million people consider suicide each year in the U.S., with about 5% of them attempting suicide. It emphasizes the importance of programs that empower people and communities to reduce the global burden of mental ill-health and suicide.<br /><br />Eduardo Vega, the CEO/Founder of Humannovations, is a key contributor to the document. He has extensive experience in mental health, social services, advocacy, and has been actively involved in mental health policy, programs, advocacy, research, and peer support programs.<br /><br />The objectives of the document are to identify core issues relating to the intersection of psychiatric care, mental health treatment, and personal lived experience of suicide, review known initiatives and directions integrating lived experience with suicide prevention practices, discuss an alternative model of suicide recovery/growth, and review key humanizing terms and reframes related to crisis and intensity.<br /><br />The document highlights the importance of engaging suicide attempt survivors in suicide prevention planning and the development of support services. It also discusses the need for alternatives that include individuals with lived experience and emphasizes the significance of preserving dignity, countering stigma, and promoting community connectedness.<br /><br />The document introduces the "Activating Hope" program, a partnership with Lines for Life, and emphasizes the need for organizational climate for engagement, peer/lived experience supports for suicide, and the role of lived experience in different systems of care.<br /><br />Overall, the document emphasizes the value of incorporating lived experience in suicide prevention and mental health treatment and provides insights into initiatives and approaches that aim to improve outcomes in these areas.

Keywords

Lived Experience

Suicide Prevention

Mental Health Treatment

Suicidality

National Strategy

Personal Transformative Struggle

Global Burden

Eduardo Vega

Engaging Survivors

Activating Hope Program