Alternatives to Suicide - Brisbane Northside
Description
A space to talk about suicide. No judgement. No fixing. No expectation to be anywhere other than where you are.
Alternatives to Suicide, or Alt2Su, is a peer led, non clinical space for people who want to talk openly about suicide, suicidal thoughts, distress, despair, or the experiences and circumstances surrounding them.
Alt2Su is grounded in mutuality, connection, choice and respect. Rather than assessing, managing or trying to fix people, the group creates space to speak honestly about experiences that are often difficult to talk about elsewhere.
You do not need a diagnosis, referral or particular level of distress to attend. You do not need to explain or justify why you are coming.
The group is facilitated by people with their own lived experience of suicidal thoughts and distress.
What to expect
Alt2Su groups are guided by the Alternatives to Suicide Charter and its core principles, including:
responsibility to, not responsibility for or over, one another
consent and choice
mutual respect, support and empathy
making space to understand experiences in their broader context
recognising the impacts of injustice, trauma and systems
healing through connection and community
There are no risk assessments, intake processes or clinical treatment within the group. People are welcome to talk about suicidal thoughts, including wanting to die, without those thoughts automatically becoming something to be assessed, corrected or shut down.
Sharing is always your choice. You are welcome to speak, listen, or simply be present.
When and where
Fortnightly from Wednesday 9 September 2026
6.00 pm to 7.30 pm
Amity Place Hub
265 Blaker Road
Keperra, Brisbane Northside
Learn more
Alternatives to Suicide Group Charter
The Charter explains the values and principles that guide Alt2Su groups:
https://wildfloweralliance.org/alternatives-to-suicide/
Alternatives to Suicide in Australia
https://alt2su-nsw.net/alternatives-to-suicide-in-australia-2/
About the Alternatives to Suicide approach
https://alt2su-nsw.net/about/
Questions
Email: epnorthside@outlook.com
You are welcome exactly as you are.
Lineup
Katie Shields
Katie is a Lived and Living Experience practitioner, facilitator, consultant, and community advocate with experience across suicide response, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, homelessness and service system reform. She holds a Bachelor of Human Services, and Graduate Certificate in Policy and Governance and Diploma of Mental Health, and is a trained Alternatives to Suicide facilitator. Katie works from a peer led, non clinical, human rights and harm reduction approach, with a strong focus on autonomy, connection and creating spaces where people can speak openly without judgement or pressure to be fixed. She is part of Empowering Voices, along with Trevor Talbot, which is establishing Alt2Su Brisbane Northside to create an ongoing local space for honest conversations about suicide and suicidal distress. Katie founded and coordinated the Queensland Wide IMPACT network and is passionate about building connections based in mutuality, recognition of power, and authenticity. Currently Lived Experience Coordinator for the Western Queensland PHN and Policy Director for Amity Place, Her broader work includes Lived Experience Leadership, co design, community capacity building, policy and service improvement, particularly where people’s experiences intersect across multiple systems.
Trevor Talbot
Passionate about psychosocial support and mentoring, people facing mental health, AOD and homelessness. A deep empathy and understanding of navigating services. I combine my qualifications with my lived experience and pride myself on providing a high level of person-centred support and care to the people I work alongside. I actively contribute to a Community Advisory Group and previously worked as a volunteer to help homeless communities. Reliable & hardworking, bringing a range of transferrable skills. I have a strong passion for the Community Services sector. I have completed the following studies and courses: Certificate IV in Alcohol & Other Drugs, Drugs of Abuse Testing, Emotional CPR, Alt2SU, and Workshop for Mentoring, and I have my First Aid & CPR. ⦁ Personal understanding of recovery and addiction ⦁ Strong empathy and active listening abilities ⦁ Effective communication and motivational support ⦁ Ability to relate to & inspire others through shared experiences ⦁ Knowledge of support resources and community services ⦁ Commitment to ethical and confidential client interaction ⦁ Planning and organising ⦁ Flexible and adaptable ⦁ Multitasking abilities
Sonja Gerdsen
Lineup
Amity Place Ltd.
Amity Place Community Hub is a safe space for all and a platform for change, to Connect - Care - Create individual and community support, awareness, and advocacy for everyone affected by domestic, family and sexual violence, intimate partner violence and relational trauma. We create connection, inclusion, social support and empowerment by providing safe, supportive spaces and activities for individuals, families and groups with therapeutic support tools, workshops, events and other enterprise.
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