Lived Experience Network
Join the National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network
The National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network is a community of LGBTQIA+ people with lived experience of suicide. The LEN works collectively to share their stories and experiences to help advocate and shape LGBTIQA+ suicide prevention work. It also provides an opportunity for people with lived experience to connect with peers in healing spaces. We would love to have you join us.
Interested in joining?
Click here to find the Expression of Interest form, or email livedexperiencenetwork@switchboard.org.au to learn more.
“If we never share, we are never seen”
A Lived Experience Network Member
What does it mean to join the Lived Experience Network?
What are the opportunities available to me?
The opportunities through our National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network will change over time. Our Bulletin mailing list is where we will notify you about a range of opportunities, including:
Lived experience advisory groups and co-design workshops at Switchboard
Invitations to contribute your story to campaigns and newsletters
Opportunities to be involved in government, funders and not-for-profit co-design activities and research
Workshops and social events
What is the process for joining the Lived Experience Network?
Fill in an Expression of Interest (EOI) Link is here:
Meet with a Switchboard Lived Experience Facilitator over video or phone call
We will add your contact details to our Bulletin email list
Participate in the OUTSpoken introduction series. This will strengthen your skills in sharing your lived experience and offer you an opportunity to connect with other LGBTIQA+ people who identify with having lived experiences of suicide.
What is the OUTSpoken introduction series?
We offer a free introduction series to LGBTIQA+ people who are involved in the Lived Experience Network. This series runs over six sessions and will support participants to tell their stories, explore strategies to create change and undertake advocacy, and tools to effectively participate in co-design. These sessions are action based and will also be used for co-design for Switchboard Suicide Prevention Projects.
Dates and intake sessions for the upcoming OUTSpoken series will be distributed through the Lived Experience email Bulletin.
The next series of OUTSpoken Sessions will commence in 2025, dates yet to be scheduled.
Who can join the Lived Experience Network?
The National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network is only for LGBTIQA+ people aged 18+. This means you must identify as belonging to LGBTIQA+ communities and be over 18.
Our network is open to individuals who have any form of lived experience. This could be having experienced thoughts of suicide, suicidal behaviour, cared for someone through suicidal crisis, been bereaved through suicide or live with on-going suicidality.
The network is open to LGBTIQA+ people across Australia.
Do your workers have lived experiences?
Yes, our Lived Experience Facilitators identify with having lived experience of suicide and being LGBTIQA+. Just like the diversity of our communities, our staff have different experiences, different identities and different strengths.
Who can I contact about the lived experience network?
You can contact our Lived Experience Facilitators via email: livedexperiencenetwork@switchboard.org.au
We’re happy to answer any of your questions. We will try to be in contact within 3 working days.
“Never alone, uplifted from a point of sorrow, be the change in a world of ignorance.”
A Lived Experience Network Member
An Advocacy Story
At a gathering of some Lived Experience Network members in 2024 a collective document was created that explores what advocacy in suicide prevention means to us. This collective document was created by each of us adding a line or two.
Thank you to those who came before me
And authentically lived their lives
No matter what the cost.
I spent so much of my life alone in a closet
Never realizing there was anyone else like me.
My ability to be visible across all aspects of my life
Now is a privilege
And it aligns with my values of honesty and authenticity.
The stories of those who came before me
And those who walk alongside me,
Now create the meaning and pathway forward
In my lived and living experience of suicide.
I am NOT a fraud
The system is THE fraud.
Creating small universes,
To be seen and be heard.
I think about you
Throwing the first brick
And love you
Through space and time.
They say one person can’t change the world
But you can change the world for one person,
If you can advocate and help one person.
I believe that can create a ripple effect
And can end up making a difference
In so many people’s lives
Than you actually realise.
I also have no doubt who came before me had fun.
Part of my advocacy and the advocacy I most treasure,
Is a commitment to fill the one life we have
Is full of enjoyment, of dancing, of laughter, of connection.
No one has fun like the girls and the gays.
Your story, lived experience matter.
It is individual to you.
Let me and my wonderful, caring team
have voice heard above the noise.
I am here with my complex story.
It holds shame and joy,
Hate and love,
Neglect and care together.
I know folks who came before me
Gave me and all of us gave this safe space
Where all stories are welcomed and embraced.
I am here, I am safe.
I am me, I am us.