Key findings from a local study into systemic barriers that support and hinder sustainability in Suicide Prevention lived experience (Peer) Work will be presented at this year’s National Suicide Prevention Conference 28th – 30th April.  

Clinical Psychology Registrar and University of Wollongong Clinical Psychology alumn, Ava Riddell will be presenting a poster of findings from her study co-designed in partnership with the Illawarra Shoalhaven and Bega Valley Eurobodalla Suicide Prevention Collaboratives. Hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia, the National Suicide Prevention Conference provides a powerful platform for advancing best practice and driving collective action.  

Jo Riley, Manager, Social Impact and Engagement at COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network, said: "Ava Riddell's poster presentation highlights the system-level changes that would improve the working conditions of the Suicide Prevention Peer Workforce and better support sustainability in Suicide Prevention Peer Work. Equally important to the findings is how the research was undertaken, that is, in partnership with people with lived experience from idea conception through to publication of the results.” 

This is highly relevant to the 2026 conference theme 'United Voices, Brighter Futures', which aims to unite people across communities, sectors and policy areas to work towards a brighter future, to help save more lives.  

With suicide being the leading cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44 years, reducing and preventing suicide is complex and not exclusive to any one individual, service or sector, it’s a whole-of-community issue. In South Eastern NSW the Collaboratives contribute to a sustainable and comprehensive approach to reducing the impact of suicide.  

“Peer Workers working in the sector are a very important component of that community-wide response. Through deliberate regional investment and collaboration, the lived experience (Peer) Workforce in South Eastern NSW has tripled since 2021 and service delivery by Peer Workers has doubled. Key local aftercare services, Next Steps and Rebuild, along with Wollongong and Bega Safe Havens provide Peer-led, non-clinical support for people experiencing suicidal distress," Ms Riley said.  

Participants in this study spoke strongly about their commitment to suicide prevention and the value of Peer Work in supporting individuals and communities. One participant reflected on what keeps them engaged in the work, stating, “Despite a lot of the barriers, the passion that I feel for Peer Work and the peer movement keeps me showing up every day.” 

At the same time, participants identified significant systemic barriers affecting sustainability. Poor compensation, limited job security and a lack of clear career pathways were consistently raised as factors that make long‑term participation in this work difficult. As one participant explained, “People look at Peer Workers and lived experience workers and think, we don’t actually need to pay them more because they’re going to keep doing it because it’s important to them”. 

"This local study provides formal evidence about how best to sustain Suicide Prevention Peer Workers in their professional practice. Suicide Prevention Peer Workers are continuously confronted with various systemic barriers including a lack of lived experience leadership in the workplace and stigma," said Ms Riley.  

Accessible supervisory support and improved understanding of the Peer Work role were among some of the systemic enablers highlighted for change. 

Ms Riddell added, “This is an opportunity to bring the voices of Peer Workers into a national conversation about what sustainable, ethical suicide prevention really looks like. I hope the findings contribute to ongoing efforts to build a Peer Workforce that is supported, respected and embedded across the system.” 

View the abstract to Ava Riddell’s poster presentation What supports and hinders sustainability in suicide prevention peer work? A systems perspective. 

View Ava Riddell’s thesis Community of Practice for Suicide Prevention Peer Workers here. 

To find out more about the Collaboratives and how to get involved, please visit Suicide Prevention Collaboratives.