Content Warning: This podcast discusses suicide, suicidal thoughts, and suicide bereavement. Some content may be distressing. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you and seek support if needed.

Description: This episode focuses on research design, data gaps, and the importance of lived experience in shaping suicide prevention efforts. Panellists discuss the challenges of collecting accurate data in military and public safety settings, where stigma and career consequences can limit disclosure. The conversation highlights the growing movement toward co-designed research that meaningfully includes people with lived experience from the outset.

Moderated by: Suzanne Bailey: Long-time social worker with Canada’s Department of National Defence and contributor to the Road to Mental Readiness program

Dr. Heidi Cramm: Occupational therapist, Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University and research lead at the Families Matter Research Group

Guest Panellists:

Bronwen Edwards: CEO of Roses in the Ocean, a lead organization for the lived experience of suicide

Dr. Simon Hatcher: Chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa and scientist at the at The Ottawa Hospital

Dr. Nicholas Procter: Academic lead for mental health and Chair of Mental Health Nursing at Adelaide University

Relevant Resources:

· FBI suicide tracking among law enforcement (USA): Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection (LESDC)

· Integrating lived experience in research: Best Practice Guidelines for the engagement of people with lived experience in mental health/substance use health research

· Power imbalances research with people with lived experience (PWLE): The ultimate power play in research—Partnering with patients, partnering with power

· Qualitative and quantitative research methods in suicidology: Looking Beyond the Qualitative and Quantitative Divide: Narrative, Ethics and Representation in Suicidology

· Storytelling and suicidality: Experiences of suicide survivors of sharing their stories about suicidality and overcoming a crisis in media and public talks: A qualitative study

· Trauma-informed suicide prevention: The impact of trauma‐informed suicide prevention approaches: A systematic review of evidence across the lifespan