Compassion, trust and person-centerd care must be at the heart of supporting people experiencing suicidal distress, according to a leading Adelaide University 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, Prof Procter has worked in suicide prevention for around 30 years, with a particular focus on safety planning, trauma-informed practice and person-centerd 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,” Prof 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.”
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 Adelaide University 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,” Prof Procter said.
“There’s no doubt these behaviors can be confronting, but recognizing that trauma may be influencing how a person responds is an important starting point for providing compassionate care.
“Rather than focusing solely on the behavior 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-traumatization.”
Prof Procter said trauma-informed care goes hand-in-hand with person-centerd 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, 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.”
Nicholas Procter, Professor, Adelaide University
The comments come as South Australia begins developing its next Suicide Prevention Plan for 2027–32, with consultation opening on World Suicide Prevention Day.
Prof 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.”
To help translate these principles into practice, Professor Procter is hosting a free Adelaide University masterclass for registered nurses exploring trauma-informed practice, person-centerd care and suicide prevention.
The session will explore how trauma can influence suicidal distress, real-world safety planning for people in crisis and practical approaches nurses can use to provide person-centerd care while helping prevent re-traumatization.
“Our aim is to support nurses in the work they do, helping them to recognise the widespread impact of trauma and understand that there are pathways towards recovery,” Prof Procter said.
“We can take practical steps to prevent re-traumatization and bring safety, trust, choice and collaboration into the way we support people experiencing suicidal distress.”
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