Meeting People Where They Are: A Global Vision for Suicide Prevention with Dr. Sandersan Onie | Ep. 147

I had the honor of speaking with Sandersan Onie, an internationally renowned leader in suicide prevention. Dr. Onie is a Research Fellow at the Black Dog Institute, the Founding President of the Indonesian Association for Suicide Prevention, and a Visiting Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School. His groundbreaking work bridges research, technology, and policy—and is deeply informed by his own lived and living experience with suicide.

In our conversation, Sandersan shared the powerful story of helping lead the development of Indonesia’s first National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. In a country where suicide is not only considered a sin, but the ultimate sin, he brought together religious leaders and government ministers to craft a declaration that aligned with sacred texts while championing suicide prevention.

We also explored how those lessons shaped his work with global tech companies—consulting on how to respond effectively to internet searches related to suicide. His expertise in using digital marketing to reach people in crisis is truly reshaping how we approach suicide prevention in the online world.

Together, we reflected on the importance of meeting people where they are, especially across diverse cultural, religious, and technological landscapes. Sandersan emphasized how listening deeply to people with lived experience, fostering empowerment, and embracing intellectual humility are essential for building trust and creating meaningful change—even within our own suicide prevention community.

Bio

Dr. Sandersan Onie is a researcher with lived and living experience of suicide. He is a Research Fellow at the Black Dog Institute and the Founding President of the Indonesian Association for Suicide Prevention. He is currently a vice-president at the International Association for Suicide Prevention and is a visiting research fellow at Harvard Medical School. His work focuses on suicide prevention strategies, including digital marketing to reach individuals in crisis. He has advised tech companies and consulted for the WHO on global guidelines, contributing to Indonesia’s enshrinement of suicide prevention in law after the 2022 G20.

Takeaways

This conversation will leave you inspired by the power of collaboration, innovation, and listening in suicide prevention. Tune in for actionable insights on how we can better meet people where they are—whether in local communities, digital spaces, or global platforms.

Show Notes