Lived Experience Advisory Committee
SPRC’s Lived Experience Advisory Committee (LEAC) is a diverse group of suicide prevention leaders and advocates who have been personally impacted by suicide. The committee provides expertise and insights from their lived experience to help ensure SPRC’s suicide prevention efforts effectively meet the needs of people at risk of suicide and their families. Susie Reece, SPRC director of lived experience initiatives, coordinates the committee.
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Cal Beyer |
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Sam Brinton Sam Brinton is a leading advocate for LGBTQ youth worldwide. Brinton founded The Trevor Project’s 50 Bills 50 States campaign, which focuses on ending the practice of conversion therapy within the Unites States and eventually, worldwide. Brinton identifies as a genderfluid person and uses their experiences as a survivor of conversion therapy to...Read more |
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Josie Caballero Born and raised in small-town Texas, Josie Caballero manages the U.S. Transgender Survey (USTS) at the National Center for Transgender Equality. She organizes and coordinates researchers, academics, and activists to ensure the scientific integrity and efficacy of the USTS. She is a Navy veteran who worked as a nuclear reactor operator for six years. She...Read more |
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Iden Campbell McCollum |
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Stan Collins Collins co-founded The Directing Change Program and Film Contest. In 2020, he was recognized as “Mental Health Champion...Read more |
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Tom Cruz Retired Army Master Sergeant Tom Cruz experienced deployments in Kosovo (1999), Iraq (2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008), and Jordan (2017). Over his 26-year military career, he was stationed at U.S. locations (including Fort Bragg; Fort Campbell; the Maryland/D.C. area; Tampa, Florida; and Puerto Rico), as well as Belgium. Cruz was a soldier who thought...Read more |
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Adam Davis Adam Davis is a former law enforcement officer and FBI-trained hostage negotiator who understands the challenges facing law enforcement officers and their relationships. Since leaving law enforcement in 2015, he has devoted his life to serving others and inspiring them to make positive changes in their lives. Davis has presented his story of overcoming...Read more |
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Jeff Elhart |
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Pamela End of Horn |
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Christopher Epperson Christopher Epperson has worked in suicide prevention for over a decade, inspired by his experience as a suicide attempt survivor and suicide loss survivor. With a broad professional background that includes work as a youth pastor, Epperson is a co-owner of Soul Shop™ Movement, a faith-based organization focusing on suicide prevention and education...Read more |
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Jeremy Fields |
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Ysabel Garcia |
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In Remembrance: Sadé Heart of the Hawk Ali Sadé Heart of the Hawk Ali was a survivor of multiple suicide attempts. She was the retired deputy commissioner of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services and was in the recovery and behavioral health services field for 51 years. Ali was the tribal lead and a senior project...Read more |
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Linda Henderson-Smith |
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Will Hogan ...Read more |
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Terresa Humphries-Wadsworth |
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Seth M.Kursman Seth Kursman serves as vice president of corporate communications, sustainability, and government affairs for Resolute Forest Products, a global leader in the forest products industry. With over 30 years of experience in various corporate and division-based functions, Kursman brings extensive political and public policy experience as well as...Read more |
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DeQuincy Lezine |
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Annemarie Matulis Annemarie Matulis is a survivor of childhood trauma and adult domestic violence and has spent 35 years balancing careers in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors including domestic violence, substance misuse, and suicide prevention. Matulis has decades of experience as a community activist, advocate, and organizer. Emotionally impacted by the...Read more |
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Lisa St. George Lisa St. George is a mental health and human services professional with over 40 years of experience. She serves as vice president of peer support and empowerment at RI International, a peer support service provider. She has been involved in the creation and implementation of training programs focusing on support, recovery, patient services, and crisis...Read more |
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Paige Smith |
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Sally Spencer-Thomas Dr. Spencer-Thomas’ work...Read more |
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Tony Stelter Tony Stelter is a mental health professional in central Oklahoma. He serves as the director of recovery supports for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Stelter has worked in the field of mental health for over 10 years, focusing on a variety of mental health services, including patient care and advocacy and serving...Read more |
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Pata Suyemoto She earned her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, focusing her research on anti-racist education and issues of race and racism...Read more |
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Diana Cortez Yañez Diana Cortez Yañez is a peer specialist and international speaker and advocate for suicide prevention. She has spent 30 years in the behavioral health system as a patient engaging in life-changing, evidence-based therapy and as a survivor of multiple suicide attempts. Her passion is sharing her experiences of what helped and did not help in...Read more |