The Insider's Gaze: Informing Mental Health Practice Through Lived Experience Research

Lived experience research in suicide explores how those personally affected by suicidality, suicide bereavement, or trauma offer unique insights that deepen understanding and improve research relevance, mental health care and support. Despite growing recognition, such work remains under-documented by researchers with lived experience themselves. This paper explores both the opportunities and tensions I encountered as a lived experience researcher, addressing emotional demands, dual roles, reflexivity and ethical considerations.

This paper presents a first-person critically reflexive account of conducting suicide bereavement research as someone bereaved by suicide.

I highlight some challenges of conducting suicide bereavement research, including ethical approvals, recruiting and supporting participants and prioritising self-care. I emphasise the importance of preparation, ethical sensitivity and emotional safety for all involved as key strategies for addressing these hurdles.

My paper highlights the emotional and physical demands of lived experience research, emphasising its value in bridging academia and real-life experiences. I advocate for greater inclusion of lived experience voices in research to strengthen ethical, inclusive and impactful research that informs effective mental health care and policies.