Since 2015, the American Association of Suicidology, in collaboration with the QPR Institute, has invited suicide attempt survivors to submit personal essays reflecting on survival, hope, and recovery from suicidal ideation and attempts. These narratives deepen public understanding of suicide survivorship and contribute to more informed conversations within the field of suicide prevention.

2025 Winners

• First Place: The Falcon, the Sea-Glass, the Dog, and…Santa Claus? by Katalina Gille
• Second Place: Tomorrow will be the day I die by Carrie Badillo
• Third Place: When Silence Nearly Killed Me by Dan Fendley

Submission period opens: August 12, 2026.
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 suicide attempt(s). Previous participants may resubmit previously submitted work. Previous winning authors are not eligible to submit new or previously submitted entries. 

The Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition seeks to elevate authentic lived-experience narratives that promote understanding, hope, healing, and recovery. We welcome submissions from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences and strongly encourage participation from 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. Submissions should focus on personal reflection, insight, healing, recovery, hope, or lessons learned from lived experience. 

Essay Requirements

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

Poetry, creative fiction, and biography are not accepted.

Language Guidelines

• Use “died by suicide” rather than “committed suicide”
• Avoid terms such as “unsuccessful” or “failed” attempt
• Refrain from graphic descriptions of suicide attempts

Awards & Recognition

The top three submissions will be recognized annually. Each winner will receive a cash award, a commemorative plaque, and recognition through the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) and the QPR Institute, including publication on both organizations’ websites, social media platforms, newsletters, and other promotional and educational materials.

Winners will be honored during the AAS Annual Conference Awards Ceremony (April 11-15, 2027, Hyatt Regency Dallas), where they will be invited to join AAS and QPR Institute leadership on stage to accept their award and share brief acceptance remarks.

To help celebrate and amplify their stories, winners may also be invited to participate in a short video interview or provide a brief recorded message for use on the AAS and QPR Institute websites, social media channels, and other educational or promotional platforms.

Attendance at the AAS Annual Conference is highly encouraged and strongly preferred to fully participate in the recognition experience. If attending, winners will receive complimentary conference registration, one night’s hotel accommodations, airfare reimbursement up to $500.00, and access to the QPR Pathfinder course.

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

Prize Amounts

• First Place: $1,500.00
• Second Place: $1,000.00
• Third Place: $500.00

Judging Process

Submissions are reviewed through a double-blind evaluation process. Neither entrants nor judges are informed of participant identities during the review process. Each submission is independently evaluated by at least two volunteer judges who are randomly assigned.

The judging panel includes professional writers, writing instructors, suicide prevention professionals, members and leaders of the professional lived experience community, and past winners of the Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition. Together, judges bring expertise in writing, suicide prevention, and responsibly shared suicide-centered lived experience to ensure a thoughtful, fair, and well-rounded evaluation of each submission.

Scoring 

Submissions are rated on a scale of 1–5 (no decimals permitted). The combined scores determine final placement. Due to time constraints, written feedback is not provided. 

Evaluation Criteria

Judges assess entries based on the following:

• Increase public understanding of the lived experience of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, recovery, and healing.  
• Offer meaningful insight, reflection, or perspectives that contribute to the field’s understanding of suicide survivorship.  
• Demonstrate authenticity, hope, resilience, or lessons learned through lived experience.  
• Present a compelling narrative that is engaging, well-organized, and accessible to a broad audience.  
• Have the potential to educate, inspire, or positively impact readers. 

Waiver & Confidentiality

Authors must waive copyright restrictions and grant the American Association of Suicidology and QPR Institute permission to reproduce and publish submitted work. 

To preserve the integrity of the judging process, identifying names of individuals or organizations are redacted prior to review. Authors are encouraged to consider conversations with individuals who may be named, as winning submissions are publicly accessible.