At SafeHaven, we meet people in some of their most vulnerable moments. Not with forms or assessments, but with a cup of tea, a quiet space, and genuine human connection. SafeHaven Kogarah was established in 2021 as a peer-led alternative to the Emergency Department. We offer people experiencing suicidal distress a place to feel safe, heard, and understood.

In this presentation, I’ll be speaking about what it means to work at the frontline of suicide prevention as a lived experience worker. Drawing on my experience working at SafeHaven, we will explore how the understanding that comes from having been there yourself, allows for deep, authentic connection. It’s this connection that can help people to find hope when life feels unbearable, and remind them that they’re not alone.

We will also reflect on what makes the SafeHaven model different. How we can offer compassion instead of risk assessments, and choice instead of coercion. SafeHaven is a space where stories matter, and where suicidal thoughts are not the end of the story - but are instead seen as something to learn from and grow through.

The SafeHaven model of care offers valuable lessons for the future of suicide prevention and mental health reform. When we embed lived experience into service design, we move from managing risk to fostering genuine connection and recovery. When we bring this approach into our wider mental health systems, we can continue to build services that feel safe, kind, and truly supportive for both staff, and the people we walk alongside.