WASHINGTON – Dec. 22, 2025 – The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition. This annual competition, held in partnership with the QPR Institute since 2015, 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 2025 winners. Their narratives are available here and will be shared with the broader community to further awareness and understanding of suicide prevention through storytelling. 

2025 Winners: 

• 1st Place: Kataline Gille – The Falcon, the See-Glass, the Dog, and…Santa Claus?  

• 2nd Place: Carrie Badillo – Tomorrow will be the day I die 

• 3rd Place: Dan Fendley – When Silence Nearly Killed Me 

Winning entries will be honored at AAS’s 59th Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 20, 2026. 

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 AAS: info@suicidology.org