Pathways Vermont’s Approach to Conversations About Suicide:
At Pathways Vermont, we see conversations about suicide as opportunities to build genuine connection. Instead of immediately shifting to risk assessment or intervention, we prioritize curiosity, validation, and compassion —recognizing that suicidal thoughts are a real and common part of the human experience.
The dominant approach to suicide often frames it as a crisis requiring urgent risk management. This can disrupt meaningful connection and, in some cases, cause more harm than good—leading to involuntary, forced treatment. Rather than focusing solely on preventing suicide at all costs, we choose to nurture relationships, believing that connection itself is a powerful force in helping individuals explore their experiences, find understanding, and create meaning in their lives.
Our Approach:
In This Approach, We Resist:
A Harm Reduction Approach to Suicide
Research shows that suicide prevention at all costs, which often involves coercion, force, and denial of rights and autonomy, actually increases the risk of death by suicide (Mad in America, 2019).
In a harm reduction approach, our goal is to foster and sustain connection – this CAN and DOES reduce the risk of suicide.
Pathways Vermont’s Approach to Suicide One-Pager
Statement on Justice, Equity, and Universal Access
We recognize that multiple systems of oppression, including white supremacy, colonialism, economic injustice, sanism, and ableism, are barriers to achieving our mission. Because of this, we are committed to building inclusive, equitable, and universally accessible communities, which is representative of Pathways’ core values.
We understand that our commitment requires the continuous work of daily action, reflection, confronting inequities, and challenging narratives. We practice this in many ways, including mandatory monthly training for all staff members with a rotating curriculum that aims to support the complex and dynamic topics of equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our 2024 all-staff training calendar is below:
| Month – Topic |
| January – Fat Liberation & Health at Every Size |
| February – Racial Equity & Social Justice, Part One and Part Two |
| March- Unlearning Ableism & Creating Access |
| April – The Intersectionalities of Reproductive Justice |
| May – Housing First: Ending the Cycle of Homelessness |
| June – Working with 2STLGBQ+ Folks |
| July – Harm Reduction: Theory & Principles |
| August – Overdose Prevention & Management |
| September – Pathways Vermont’s Relationship-First Practice |
| October – ALL STAFF RETREAT – Community Building |
| November – Innovative Mental Health Alternatives |
| December – Respectful Workplace |
We believe strong relationships generate honest conversations, which support us in continuously examining and improving our programs and services, our work environment and agency resource allocation, and our capacity to advocate. As such, we focus on building relationships, providing feedback, and striving for a strong model of supervision at Pathways.
We believe in cultural humility, not cultural competency, because we are dedicated to lifelong learning and reflection. We regard each person as the expert of their own experience and prioritize curiosity, compassion, and mutuality in our relationships. Our commitment to inclusion, equity, and universal access is ongoing, and we always welcome ideas and efforts to help us grow and improve. Contact [email protected] with ideas and questions about the above.