WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 04, 2025– The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition. This annual competition, held in partnership with the QPR Institute for the last decade, highlights the voices of individuals with lived experience of suicide, providing a platform to share their journeys of survival, hope and resilience.

After receiving an overwhelming number of compelling submissions, a panel of judges—including mental health professionals, writers, and individuals with lived experience—has selected the 2024 winners. Their narratives are available here and will be shared with the broader community to further awareness and understanding of suicide prevention through storytelling.

2024 Winners:

• Alec Williams – “The Ghost I Become”
• Caitlin Ruzycky – “Unbroken: Rising from Trauma and Finding Purpose”
• Bethany Lemons – “Sunrise and Sunflowers”

“AAS is honored to continue this important competition in partnership with the QPR Institute,” said Jody Gottlieb, Executive Director of the American Association of Suicidology. “We congratulate Alec, Caitlin, and Bethany for sharing their deeply personal stories. These powerful narratives shine a light on the experiences of individuals who have lived with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, offering hope to others, navigating similar struggles. Paul Quinnett, Chairman of QPR Institute added, “So long as suicide remains a mystery, we have no responsibility to prevent it. But once we begin to understand suicide, we must act boldly in good faith to save lives. This competition is a crucial step in that understanding, providing a platform for voices that need to be heard and stories that can inspire change.”

Winning entries will be honored at AAS’s 58th Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, on April 1, 2025.

About the American Association of Suicidology: Founded in 1968, the American Association of Suicidology is dedicated to advancing suicidology as a science and promoting effective suicide prevention strategies. Through research, education, advocacy and survivor support, AAS fosters understanding and provides resources for those affected by suicide. Visit https://suicidology.org/about-aas/

About the QPR Institute: The QPR Institute’s mission is to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training.

QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer—three simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver help save thousands of

lives each year, those trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help. Visit https://www.qprinstitute.com to learn how to ask the question and save a life today.

For media inquiries or more information, please contact: Jody Gottlieb, jgottlieb@suicidology.org