“We Explain Our Actions Through Our Stories”: Trauma Informed Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
| Tuesday, March 25, 2025 |
| 4:05 PM - 4:35 PM |
| Ballroom 1 |
Overview
Professor Nicholas Procter, Professor, University of South Australia
Presenter
Professor Nicholas Procter
Professor
University of South Australia
“We Explain Our Actions Through Our Stories”: Trauma Informed Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Abstract
This presentation recognises that for some, deeply painful experiences early in life can shape how we see the world and personal distress triggers. While academic evidence of population-based risk factors is helpful when framing public policy and alerting services to shape practice design, it does not help the worker understand the personal significance of life experiences. Life histories are always relevant in mental health and suicide prevention care. This presentation will consider life histories in the context of person-centred care and provide a framework to collaboratively develop person-centred approaches in mental health and suicide prevention.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Explore the impact of life histories on people's lives and the role of workers when engaging and supporting people accessing mental health care
2. Understand the impact and limitations of social determinants in mental health care and what can be done help people live a life with meaning and purpose
3. Understand the principles of trauma informed practice in suicidal suffering, and how a strengths-based approach may enhance a person’s hope for the future
Three Key Learnings:
1. Explore the impact of life histories on people's lives and the role of workers when engaging and supporting people accessing mental health care
2. Understand the impact and limitations of social determinants in mental health care and what can be done help people live a life with meaning and purpose
3. Understand the principles of trauma informed practice in suicidal suffering, and how a strengths-based approach may enhance a person’s hope for the future
Biography
Nicholas is Professorial Lead for Nursing and Chair: Mental Health Nursing, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences. Much of his day-to-day work involves teaching, research and co-leading initiatives with industry partners to realise the substantial short-term and long-term benefits that can be gained from academic-industry engagement. The strategic intent of his work is to partner with people and organisations who can use research evidence and lived experience to co-design person centred care to improve mental health and decrease suicidal suffering and death. Nicholas currently serves as Australia's national representative to the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
