Since 2015, the American Association of Suicidology, in collaboration with the QPR Institute, has invited individuals with lived experience of suicidal thoughts or attempts to share their stories through the Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition. The competition elevates authentic voices and demonstrates the role responsibly shared stories can play in suicide prevention — helping others better understand suicidal experiences, reduce stigma, and see that hope, healing, and recovery are possible.

Submission period closes: October 1, 2026, at 4:59 PM (EST).

Questions? Email Robert Coffey, Senior Programs Manager (rcoffey@suicidology.org).

Submission Guidelines

Eligibility

The Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition is open to individuals who have experienced suicidal ideation and/or one or more suicide attempts. Previous participants may resubmit work entered in prior competitions. Previous winners are not eligible to submit new or previously submitted entries.

We welcome submissions from people of all backgrounds, identities, communities, and experiences. We especially encourage participation from individuals and communities whose voices have historically been underrepresented in conversations about mental health and suicide prevention, including people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those who have experienced harm within mental health systems.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for personal essays that move beyond what happened to reflect on its impact — the insight gained, and the author’s journey toward healing, hope, or recovery. Strong submissions help readers understand the person behind the experience: what you’ve learned, how your perspective has changed, or how your story might help someone else.

Every lived experience is different, and there is no single story of recovery.

Essay Requirements

• Maximum Length: 2,000 words
• Font: Times New Roman or Open Sans
• Font Size: 12 point
• Spacing: Double-spaced
• Margins: 1 inch

Submissions must be original personal essays. Poetry, creative fiction, and biography are not accepted.

Responsible Language & Storytelling

Because these stories may be read by individuals with their own lived experience of suicide, we ask authors to use current, respectful suicide prevention language and share their experiences responsibly.

• Use “died by suicide” rather than “committed suicide”
• Avoid terms such as “failed” or “unsuccessful” suicide attempt.
• Refrain from graphic descriptions of suicide attempts, methods, or other potentially harmful details.

Authenticity matters. Responsible storytelling does not mean minimizing difficult experiences—it means sharing them in a way that honors your experience while considering the impact your story may have on others. Focus on reflection, recovery, and the lessons learned rather than the details of the crisis or attempt.

Awards & Recognition

Each year, the top three submissions are selected for recognition.

Prize Awards

• First Place: $1,500
• Second Place: $1,000
• Third Place: $500

In addition to the cash award, each winner will receive a commemorative plaque and recognition from both the American Association of Suicidology and QPR Institute.

Winning stories may be featured on the AAS and QPR Institute websites, social media platforms, newsletters, and other educational or promotional materials, helping these important lived-experience perspectives reach a broader audience.

To further celebrate and amplify their stories, winners may also be invited to participate in a short video interview or provide a recorded message for use by AAS and QPR Institute.

Conference Recognition

Winners will be honored during the AAS Annual Conference, April 11–15, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, where they will be invited to join AAS and QPR Institute leadership on stage to accept their award and share brief remarks. Attendance at the AAS Annual Conference is highly encouraged and strongly preferred so winners can fully participate in the recognition experience.

For winners attending the conference, support includes:

• Complimentary AAS Annual Conference registration
• One night of hotel accommodations
• Airfare reimbursement up to $500
• Access to the QPR Pathfinder course

Funding for the competition supports prize awards, winner recognition, and administrative costs associated with the competition.

Judging & Evaluation

Every submission is reviewed through a double-blind evaluation process, helping ensure entries are evaluated fairly and on the strength of the writing and message. Neither entrants nor judges are provided identifying information during the review process. Each submission is independently reviewed by at least two randomly assigned volunteer judges.

The judging panel may include professional writers, writing instructors, suicide prevention professionals, members and leaders of the professional lived experience community, and previous winners of the Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition. Together, judges bring perspectives in writing, suicide prevention, and responsibly shared lived experience.

Submissions are not judged based on the severity or uniqueness of an individual’s lived experience. Judges evaluate the quality of the writing, reflection, insight, and message.

Scoring

Each essay is scored 1–5 (whole numbers only) across four categories:

• Quality of Writing: Grammar, spelling, style, organization, flow, and the ability to tell a complete and compelling story.
• Quality of Content: The strength of the author’s reflection, insight, meaning-making, and ability to help others better understand lived experience.
• Quality of Inspiration: The story’s ability to communicate authentic hope and healing, acknowledge the complexity of recovery, strengthen connection, reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, or inspire meaningful conversations.
• Overall Impact: The overall strength of the writing and message and its potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of readers and contribute positively to suicide prevention.

Due to the number of submissions and the volunteer nature of the judging process, individual written feedback is not provided.

Publication, Privacy & Confidentiality

To protect the integrity of the double-blind judging process, identifying names of individuals and organizations are redacted from submissions before they are provided to judges. Authors should carefully consider including identifying information about other individuals in their essays and, when appropriate, have conversations with those individuals before submitting. Winning essays may become publicly accessible.

By submitting an essay, authors agree to grant the American Association of Suicidology and QPR Institute permission to reproduce, publish, and share their submitted work in connection with the competition and related suicide prevention, educational, and promotional efforts.

A Gift to Every Author Who Submits

Sharing your lived experience takes courage, reflection, and a willingness to help others understand experiences that can be difficult to put into words. In recognition of that contribution, every individual who submits an eligible essay to the Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition will receive complimentary access to one QPR Pathfinder Training course of their choice.

Pathfinder is an advanced, self-paced suicide prevention training designed to strengthen practical skills and confidence in recognizing and responding to suicide risk.

Authors may choose from:

• Pathfinder Lifespan – Suicide prevention across the lifespan
• Pathfinder Youth – Focused on youth and young adults
• Pathfinder Older Adults – Focused on adults and older adults
• Pathfinder Veterans – Focused on Service Members, Veterans, and their Families

Every eligible author receives this opportunity—not just competition winners. It is our way of thanking you for contributing your voice and your story to a broader effort to increase understanding, strengthen connection, inspire hope, and help save lives.