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The Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Advisory Group
Established in January 2024, the Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Advisory Group (SP LEAG) brings together people who have experienced suicidal thoughts and/or attempted suicide, to ensure their voices are central to shaping suicide prevention efforts.
About the group
The Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Advisory Group (SP LEAG) is a collaborative initiative co-facilitated by Grassroots Suicide Prevention and Possability People. It provides a platform for people with lived experience of suicide to share their insights and shape prevention programmes and policies at local, regional, and national levels.
Our Lived Experience groups play a vital role in guiding our work, influencing everything from training and digital tools to awareness campaigns and community initiatives, ensuring that our strategies remain responsive, practical, and compassionate. Aligned with the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023–2028, the SP LEAG embodies a national commitment to placing lived experience at the heart of suicide prevention.
Meet some of our members
Emily
I feel that I have been able to contribute my empowering lived experiences of neurodiversity and eating disorders and their interlink with suicide to bring new perspectives, break down stigmas, and offer hope to inspire long-lasting change. I share awareness, growth and learning from my own personal journey of recovery in these areas. I have also been able to hear other people’s experiences and gained new learning and knowledge to break down further stigma, as by being different we all succeed together.Â
Being part of the monthly SP LEAG meetings and organising and taking part in the 2024 Sussex Suicide Prevention Conference to share my experiences of neurodiversity, suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders. I’ve also enjoyed writing blogs, appearing on podcasts, contributing to the development and growth of the Stay Alive app, GP training for neurodiversity, and growing the hub.Â
Rock bottom is often the solid foundation on which we grow, learn, and rebuild our lives and come back stronger. Growth and change can be messy, ugly, and painful, but then the hope starts to find its way through and the light shines brightly. When you’re broken and lost on the ground, you will be found, because perhaps the butterfly is proof that you go through a great deal of darkness yet become something beautiful.Â
Robert
I certainly feel I make a significant impact by helping to create a safe and non-judgmental space based on the training and discussion we have had as part of the group. Â
I do feel that as a group we have supported each other, and I think my efforts have helped strengthen the team, enhance the quality of support provided, and ensure the sustainability of the Grassroots Suicide Prevention’s mission.Â
This has brought a strong sense of purpose and fulfilment. Being part of the group has created a supportive and enriching community, allowing me to find pride and satisfaction in being part of a great team.Â
You are not alone, and help is available. Even when things feel overwhelming or hopeless, these feelings can change, and support is closer than you might think. Your life truly matters, and some people care about you and want to help you through this difficult time. Things can get better, and you certainly deserve support and understanding.Â
John
I am an open book and willing to challenge myself and share my feelings with all. By doing this, I feel it encourages others to be more open and reach out for help. Â
I have enjoyed the diversity of the group and being able to listen to each other with no judgement. Â
In times of your deepest darkest moments, there is always someone who will listen. Find a safe place in your mind and get there, it can be anything from location to pet or person. Never give up.Â
Sam
I look forward to contributing my insights and working together to create meaningful change in this vital area. Â
Talk, really talk – it helps. On those long nights, take it step by step, even minute by minute if needed. You won’t feel like this forever. There’s hope and reaching out is the first step towards brighter days ahead. You are not alone, and support is out there.Â
Harj
I hope my journey inspires others to speak out, seek help, and believe in the possibility of a better future.Â
Recovery is not easy, and it’s not instant, but it’s always possible.Â
Fi
I hope that sharing my personal lived experience in the past as a trans child and now as a disabled adult has contributed to the understanding of suicidal ideation as a human condition, not a mental health condition.Â
I have raised awareness of the SP LEAG, and Grassroots Suicide Prevention, within other charities I volunteer with, in particular Samaritans, Papyrus, The Clare Project, and Mermaids UK. Hopefully, this has led to a better understanding of the causes of suicidal thoughts, and of the help that is available, and will help collaboration between organisations working in suicide prevention.Â
Listening to the experiences of other members of the group.Â
Although these thoughts feel horrible, they are temporary. Focus on staying alive this minute, this hour, today. Life is not hopeless; tomorrow will come, and it will be better. You are loved. The world is a better place with you in it. Practising mindfulness and meditation when feeling good has been very helpful in accessing these strategies when suicidal thoughts emerge.Â
Saskia
I bring lived experience of suicidal ideation, suicide bereavement, and suicide attempts, as well as professional experience in this field. I am neurodivergent and can bring those perspectives to the group as well.Â
It is a supportive group with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds. It is facilitated sensitively and respectfully.Â
Be kind to yourself. Give yourself a little bit of time to help regulate your emotional overwhelm. What works for you? I like going for walks in nature without connection to the outside world (don’t look at my phone). Â
Who, where, or what can you spend time with to support you? A friend, a place, a cat or a dog?
Meet our Facilitators
Drew Taylor
Although this is a new area for me, I’ve brought passion, commitment, and a willingness to learn. I’ve developed my facilitation skills and helped shape a space where members feel safe, heard, and valued. I’m dedicated to making the group as impactful and supportive as possible for everyone involved.Â
A real highlight was the SP LEAG helping to plan and present at the Sussex Suicide Prevention Conference in October 2024 – it was such a powerful moment, and I felt so proud seeing our members share their stories and inspire action. I’ve also loved the way our group supports each other with such honesty and care. That peer connection is truly the heart of what makes our group so special. Â
Sometimes it can feel like there are only two choices: staying alive or suicide. A turning point for me was realising that there was a third choice: staying safe for now. You don’t have to have all the answers or fix everything right away. You just need to take things minute by minute. Your thoughts and feelings can change. You deserve to see that.Â
Tasha Barefield
As a joint facilitator of the group, I have brought my own lived experience and professional community engagement and co-production experience. I feel I have been able to jointly create a safe, productive, but also enjoyable space for people with lived experience to co-produce resources, communications and events. I have enjoyed working alongside a very dedicated, talented and passionate group of members, and together we have so much to share and give back.Â
I have enjoyed seeing the group grow and support each other as peers in this space. We have already, in just a year of meeting, influenced suicide prevention services locally and the way lived experience is heard and included nationally and within Grassroots Suicide Prevention as an organisation.Â
You’ve made it through every single moment up until now, even the hardest ones. That strength is still in you, even if it feels like it’s gone. Please hold on. Try to remember there is always something else around the corner that you haven’t discovered yet.Â
Impact and achievements
2025
Letter of Hope
A key priority for the group was to create a Letter of Hope on the Stay Alive app. The letter aims to help people feel less alone and provides messages of understanding and reassurance. Members shared the things that helped them and reflected on how to make it as accessible as possible. You can read the letter on the Stay Alive mobile app (Android and iOS) or access the Letter of Hope here.Â
Neurodiversity Suicide Prevention Hub
Members of the SP LEAG were invited to review sections of our Neurodiversity Suicide Prevention Hub and contribute messages of hope for those who may be struggling. As part of the hub, we also recorded a podcast episode with Emily and Molly, two SP LEAG members, who shared their experiences of suicidal thoughts alongside autism and ADHD. You can listen to the podcast episode here.Â
2024
Sussex Suicide Prevention Conference
In October 2024, we hosted our first Suicide Prevention Conference in Sussex, highlighting the importance of lived experience as a cornerstone of suicide prevention. The group’s insights added depth and authenticity to the conversation, reminding us of the human impact behind the statistics. By centering lived experience, we not only amplified real stories of hope and resilience but also challenged stigma and inspired action. The group presented to an audience of 200 people representing 85 organisations, including public health teams, researchers, and clinical experts.
Women’s Suicide Prevention Hub
On World Suicide Prevention Day 2024, we published a Women’s Suicide Prevention Hub, addressing some of the biggest suicide risk factors for women. Members of the  group reviewed the content and also gave their own stories of hope to help encourage others to stay safe from their thoughts of suicide.Â
Stay Alive app
User research underpins all developments and updates of the Stay Alive app, our free suicide prevention and safety planning tool designed to support anyone at risk of suicide. The group is currently exploring ways to increase interactivity, improve the user journey and navigation, and incorporate stories of hope and recovery throughout the app. Their input ensures that the app remains accessible, practical, and reflective of lived experience, helping users feel supported and less alone.
Training
Lived experience insight is central to how we design new training courses. It enables participants to hear real stories about what truly helps in moments of crisis and the kinds of support that make a difference. In 2024, the group shared their ideas for suicide prevention training aimed at GP staff and recorded videos to feature in upcoming sessions.
Interested in applying?
There are currently 11 members in the Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Advisory Group, recruited to represent the at-risk groups identified in the National Strategy on Suicide Prevention.
We are holding a few spaces open to ensure the group reflects the full diversity of our communities. At this time, we are especially keen to hear from individuals with lived experience who identify as:
- Gypsy, Roma or Traveller communities Â
- Ethnic minority backgroundsÂ
- MenÂ
To learn more about the application process, please visit our recruitment page below.Â