Peer-to-peer mutual support groups (held online) that provide a space for talking about, sitting with, understanding and moving through suicidal thoughts and experiences.
Alternatives to Suicide is a peer-based response to supporting people who have made suicidal attempts or who have experienced suicidal thoughts. The approach was developed in 2008 by the Western Massachusetts Recovery Learning Community, USA (now called The Wildflower Alliance).
This peer-to-peer practice consists of mutual support groups that provide a space for voicing, sitting with, understanding and moving through suicidal thoughts.
Alternatives to Suicide groups are for anyone 18+ years old with personal experiences of suicidal thoughts or actions to talk about suicidal experiences and other forms of emotional distress without fear of being put through a crisis management system.
After initially working with Being NSW, MercyCare WA, and Alternatives Melbourne, VIC in 2018 to introduce the Alternatives to Suicide approach in NSW, inside out is now supporting the development and growth of the Alternatives to Suicide approach in NSW and Australia, by supporting Alt2Su NSW groups, offering Alternatives to Suicide Group Facilitator Training and When Conversation Turns to Suicide Training.
To find out more about Alternatives to Suicide (Alt2Su) in NSW or to register for project updates, please visit the Alt2Su NSW website or enquire via alt2su.nsw@insideoutconversations.com.au.
We acknowledge the generous support and initiative of MercyCare, Western Australia, in bringing the Alternatives to Suicide Peer Support training to Australia.
We’d also like to thank Flick Grey and the volunteer team at Alternatives Melbourne for letting us know about the Alternatives to Suicide approach.