Co-designing suicide prevention research with mothers of suicidal adolescents - applying McKercher's Model of Care.

backgroundCo-design involves a collaborative approach which prioritises doing with, rather than for, the end user. Such practices have numerous benefits for the design and implementation of suicide prevention initiatives.While rigid co-design processes may limit the flexibility of co-design processes, following guiding principles may facilitate successful co-design while maintaining adaptability. As such, this project sought to outline how following McKercher's Model of Care approach in collaboration with co-design practices can be utilised to inform the co-design of a suicide prevention research study.

methodsUsing the guiding principles of the Model of Care approach, six lived experience (LE) advisors and the project lead engaged in a co-design process. The approach was used to facilitate co-design in planning the project, identifying learning goals for the research team, reviewing ways of working together before and after key stages, and to provide an understanding of co-design methods.

resultsMcKercher's Model of Care approach prioritises compassion and kindness while focusing on a difficult experience. The results outlined how we adhered to the Model while working with individuals with lived experience of supporting a suicidal adolescent. By building supportive relationships, offering healing and support, building on LE advisors' strengths, providing compensation and acknowledgement, sticking to our promises, and celebrating and grieving together we successfully conducted co-designed suicide prevention research. Perspectives from LE advisors are provided as well as an outline of the co-design process.

conclusionsThis is the first paper to outline how McKercher's Model of Care approach was integrated into co-designed suicide prevention research and provides evidence of the benefit achieved following guiding principles in collaboration with co-design practices. This work also suggests that co-design participation may have a therapeutic benefit by supporting post-traumatic growth, both for individuals and their families, when it is conducted in a way which prioritises compassion and capacity building.