Making The Invisible Known: The Unseen Lift and Load of Suicide Prevention Work for People with Lived Experience of Suicide

In this course, lived experience researcher and advocate Hayley Purdon introduces an in-depth exploration of how individuals with lived experience of suicide contribute to the suicide prevention landscape in Australia. Grounded in descriptive phenomenology, the course draws from qualitative research to map the visible and invisible dimensions of this work—from advocacy and peer support to policy consultation and systems change. Participants will gain insights into the structural and emotional dynamics shaping this workforce, and walk away with a deeper appreciation of lived experience as a valid and professionalised form of knowledge. This course challenges participants to reflect on their own assumptions and encourages system-wide improvements for meaningful inclusion.