Ripples of Despair - Shining a light on the impact of lives lost to alcohol, drugs, and suicide (2024)
Our lived experience (lived experience stories)
Lived Experience involvement in this report
People with lived experience have an important role in shaping programmes, interventions and services. The phrase "Nothing about us, without us" highlights the importance of engaging people with lived experience (1). Their insights help address challenges and inequalities in our communities, requiring us all to work together from service commissioners, to providers, and lived experience organisations (2).
In Gateshead, people with lived experience are at the heart of our drug and alcohol services, including roles like peer supporters and recovery ambassadors. Recognising the link between addiction and mental health, mental health peer support roles are embedded in these services, offering visible hope for recovery.
Through focus groups and interviews, we heard from those impacted by alcohol, drugs and suicide, including bereaved families and individuals who faced related challenges such as poor mental health and homelessness. Each person's experiences were unique, but there were often similarities, especially around the stigma they faced. Whilst the views shared may not reflect everyone, the focus groups and interviews aimed to hear from a diverse range of experiences and communities. Throughout this report, you will see these views and experiences shared.
These conversations brought to light personal stories of struggle and resilience. While we present data about the impact of alcohol, drugs and suicide in Gateshead, we also share these real stories to amplify the voices of those affected. Though discussions were often emotional and challenging, people valued the opportunity to share their experiences and be heard. This process highlighted the importance of considering how language shapes understanding and impacts individuals and communities.
We were told how negative, stigmatising language can create feelings of shame and isolation, while positive language made people feel cared for and understood.
Language to use when talking about this topic put forward by lived experience participants
Our Language Matters
Whether you're texting a friend, posting on social media or talking with colleagues at work, the way we communicate about alcohol, drugs and suicide can have an impact on ourselves and our communities.
Making sure you do so safely and responsibly can reduce the stigma about alcohol, drugs and suicide, including suicidal feelings and behaviours, and encourage people to ask for help.
The way we describe people with lived experience matters. As such, the language we have used throughout this report has been chosen with careful consideration of guidance from organisations including the NHS and Samaritans.
Therefore, we ask that all terminology should be replicated exactly in any communications, including media coverage, about this report.
Most importantly, we hope the language used in this report helps anyone who has struggled to find the words to talk about alcohol, drugs and suicide to feel more confident to speak out, fight stigma and empower people to seek support.