Compassion, trust and person-centred care must be at the heart of supporting people experiencing suicidal distress, according to a leading suicide prevention expert.
Speaking on World Suicide Prevention Day, Adelaide University Professor Nicholas Procter said understanding the impact of trauma is vital to helping health professionals provide safer and more meaningful support to people experiencing suicidal distress. As Chair of the National Suicide Prevention Office Advisory Board, Professor Procter has worked in suicide prevention for around 30 years, with a particular focus on safety planning, trauma-informed practice and person-centred approaches to care.
‘Trauma can fundamentally shape how a person sees the world, how they form relationships and how they understand what it means to feel safe,’ Professor Procter said. ‘For some people, reminders of past trauma can trigger renewed fear, anxiety and helplessness, even in environments that others may consider safe.
‘This can make it incredibly difficult for someone experiencing suicidal distress to engage, talk openly, develop trust or participate in care. That’s why compassion, safety and trust are so important. When people feel genuinely heard, listened to and understood, we create the conditions for connection and pathways towards recovery.’
Disastrous numbers
Globally, the World Health Organization reports more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year. It is the third leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds. In Australia, 2024 preliminary revised ABS data show more than 3000 deaths due to suicide.
Recent research has highlighted gaps in the application of trauma-informed approaches to suicide prevention, despite growing recognition of their importance.
‘People experiencing suicidal distress may present in emergency departments as angry, frightened or agitated, perhaps distrustful or reluctant to engage,’ Professor Procter said.
‘There’s no doubt these behaviours can be confronting, but recognising that trauma may be influencing how a person responds is an important starting point for providing compassionate care.
Rather than focusing solely on the behaviour in front of us, trauma-informed care encourages us to consider what may have happened to that person, what might be causing them distress and what workers should do to encourage support and safety.
‘Creating that sense of safety and trust can help people engage with care and reduce the risk of re-traumatisation.’
Life with purpose
Professor Procter said trauma-informed care goes hand-in-hand with person-centred care, which focuses on understanding the individual, their experiences and what gives their life meaning and purpose.
‘Living a life with meaning and purpose is a known protective factor in suicide prevention and can help people identify their reasons for living,’ he said.
‘We need to work with people experiencing suicidal distress rather than simply doing things to them, giving them choice and involving them in decisions about their care.’
Professor Procter said the challenge is translating broader suicide prevention strategies into meaningful action when people need help.
‘Strategies give us an important population-level understanding of suicide, but we also need to translate that knowledge into what we can do when we are face-to-face with someone experiencing suicidal distress.’
Professor Procter is currently hosting masterclasses for registered nurses exploring trauma-informed practice, person-centred care and suicide prevention. ‘We can take practical steps to prevent re-traumatisation and bring safety, trust, choice and collaboration into the way we support people experiencing suicidal distress,’ he said.
To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.
