Lesson #3: Leverage Lived Expertise to Build the Blueprint
Last week, we talked about how leaders can’t run on fumes. This week, let’s get real about who’s holding the blueprints for real culture change: the people who’ve actually walked the path of depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and suicide. This is our mission at United Suicide Survivors International.
Omar Galindo leverages his lived experience with suicide and trauma to help lead the Pipe PALS initiative at the United Association of Pipe Trades.
Here’s the deal: leaders need to go first in modeling vulnerability. When leaders open up, they signal, “It’s safe here to be human.” But here’s the second piece — if you want programs that don’t just sit on a shelf gathering dust, you’ve got to co-design them with lived experience voices.
Because let’s be honest: nothing kills momentum faster than a shiny new “mental health initiative” that feels like it was written by a committee of robots. Real people want real buy-in, real responsiveness, and real results.
Construction is showing us how it’s done. Leaders in this industry are putting skin in the game, sharing their own stories, and then pulling up chairs for those who’ve been through the fire to help design what comes next. That’s why their efforts stick — because they’re rooted in authenticity, not PR spin.
Turning Pain into Purpose: From Leadership Burnout to Mental Health Advocate – with Justin Azbill
Takeaway: Burnout isn’t a personal failure — it’s a smoke alarm for system strain. Justin shares two tips: be proactive, not reactive… and always end on a positive note.
Brandon Anderson, VP of Safety, AGC Missouri
Takeaway: As a suicide attempt survivor and someone who has lost family and colleagues, Brandon proves that lived experience fuels credibility and courage. His leadership is personal, powerful, and deeply practical.
Dave Moody: From Trauma to Kilimanjaro
Takeaway: The President of C.D. Moody Construction shares how surviving childhood abuse shaped his journey — and why scaling mountains (literal and metaphorical) is about proving recovery is possible and powerful.
What other industries can learn
Leadership in mental health is about setting the tone, sharing the load, and showing up with courage and care. Programs co-designed with people with lived expertise are stickier, braver, and more likely to save lives.
Read more “7 Key Reasons Why Lived Experience Matters in Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention”: https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/dr-sally-speaks-blog/2024/9/26/7-key-reasons-why-lived-experience-matters-in-suicide-prevention-intervention-and-postvention
Roses in the Ocean’s “Co-designing with people with a lived experience of suicide” https://rosesintheocean.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/25-02-22-Co-design-Planning-Guide-v1.0-Single-Pages-for-Printing.pdf
Call to Action: Join Us in Colorado Springs
The Lived Experience Collective Convening & “Eye of the Survivor” Storytelling Retreat (Oct 24–25, 2025) is where voices of lived experience and leaders come together to co-create the future of suicide prevention. Learn more & register →
Keep changing the game,
Sally