An invaluable training that centers voices often unheard—and lessons that can transform lives.
After suicide or a suicide attempt, loved ones and professionals are often left asking painful question, “Why didn’t they tell me? Why didn’t they ask for help? Why didn’t I know?”
Why We Didn’t Tell You is a powerful, evidence-informed training that explores the emotional, interpersonal, and societal barriers that prevent people from disclosing suicidal thoughts. Grounded in lived experience, research, and survivor insight, this training challenges stigma and deepens understanding of the silence that often precedes suicide.
Instructors, who are individuals with lived experience of suicidal ideation and attempts, share findings from a survey of teen and adult survivors, offering rare and honest insight into why people chose not to disclose their struggles to family, clinicians, or others.
Participants will leave with practical, trauma-informed strategies to foster trust, encourage openness, and reduce suicide risk.
Learning Objectives:
After this training, participants will be able to:
- Identify key emotional, interpersonal, and systemic factors that contribute to the nondisclosure of suicidal thoughts
- Summarize findings from peer‑reviewed research on the nondisclosure of suicidal intent among individuals who later attempted or died by suicide.
- Practice evidence-based strategies to strengthen connection with individuals in crisis and increase the likelihood of help‑seeking, honesty, and open communication.
Who Should Attend:
- Mental health and healthcare professionals
- Educators, school staff, and students
- First responders and crisis response professionals
- Advocates, peer supporters, and community leaders
- Individuals seeking to strengthen suicide prevention efforts through empathy, insight, and understanding
Why This Training Matters:
Suicide prevention is not just about asking the right questions; it’s about understanding why people don’t answer honestly. This training offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from lived experience and turn insight into action.