Lived Experience Network
The National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network(LEN) 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.
What does the Lived Experience Network involve?
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
Who can join the Lived Experience Network?
The National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network is only for LGBTIQA+ people aged 18+ living anywhere in Australia.
Our network is open to individuals who have any form of lived experience. Examples include:
having experienced thoughts of suicide
suicidal behaviour
having cared for someone through suicidal crisis
being bereaved through suicide
living with on-going suicidality
Joining the Lived Experience Network
What is the process for joining the Lived Experience Network?
Fill in an Expression of Interest Form (EOI)
Meet with a Switchboard Lived Experience Facilitator over video or phone for an intake call
Participate in the OUTSpoken introduction series
Start receiving our Lived Experience Bulletin
What is the OUTSpoken introduction series?
OUTSpoken is an online workshop where we offer a space to exchange and strengthen your skills in sharing your lived experience through connecting with other LGBTIQA+ people who identify with having lived experience of suicide.
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.
The next series of OUTSpoken Sessions will commence in November 2026.
Lived Experience Facilitators
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.
Contact us
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.