Earlier this year, members of the Illawarra Shoalhaven and Bega Valley Eurobodalla Suicide Prevention Collaboratives attended the 2026 Suicide Prevention Australia Conference, joining community leaders, people with lived and living experience, researchers and practitioners from across the country to explore emerging evidence, ideas and approaches to suicide prevention.  

While the conference offered access to new research and innovation, participants say the greatest value came from the conversations, connections and practical insights they have since brought back to their communities.  

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the importance of placing lived and living experience at the centre of suicide prevention efforts. 

For Collaborative member Kristi, this message was particularly powerful. 

"Prevention must be inclusive, compassionate and community-driven. Lived experience isn't just something to be consulted. It should help guide the way we design services, programs and decisions."  

Participants were also inspired by examples of communities creating change through local partnerships, social connection and place-based approaches. Collaborative member Liz said one of her key takeaways was that effective suicide prevention must be shaped by local needs. 

"The strongest message for me was that local solutions matter. The most effective initiatives were those built around community relationships, partnerships and understanding what people need in their own communities."  

For Collaborative member Jo, the conference challenged assumptions about how distress presents. 

"People can appear to be coping and functioning well while carrying significant struggles. It reinforced the importance of checking in, having genuine conversations and creating opportunities for deeper connection."  

Attendees also explored the broader social, cultural and systemic factors that contribute to distress, with discussions highlighting the importance of prevention, belonging and connection, rather than focusing solely on crisis response.  

Importantly, the learning did not stop when attendees returned home. Through a recent Collaborative Lunch and Learn session, participants shared key insights and practical takeaways with fellow Collaboratives members, helping translate conference learnings into local action. Feedback showed 88% of Lunch and Learn attendees increased their knowledge or confidence in the topics presented, demonstrating the value of shared learning across the network. 

The conference also fostered new relationships with people and organisations across Australia. Participants returned with practical strategies, innovative ideas and renewed confidence that are already informing local discussions and community-led initiatives. 

One attendee reflected: 

"It reminded me that we're not working in isolation. I came away with new ideas, new relationships and greater confidence in the value of community-led approaches."  

Attendance was supported through dedicated community-led suicide prevention funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and NSW Health, enabling local Collaborative members to access national learning opportunities, with its impact extending beyond the individual for collective capacity building.