#171 – Jacinta Hawgood on Suicide Research and Prevention

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Jacinta Hawgood about evaluating suicide prevention training programs, their effectiveness, and the critical role they play in reducing suicide rates. Jacinta Hawgood is Associate Professor and Program Director of Suicidology at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP), Griffith University, where she has worked since 2000. She is a recognised national and international expert in suicide prevention and education, and her clinical work in suicidology and clinical psychology spans 27 years, operating a casual practice inclusive of client work, supervision and consultancy since 1999. Jacinta is the lead author of Systematic Tailored Assessment for Responding to Suicidality protocol (STARS-p) (Hawgood & De Leo, 2015; 2018; 2024), and associated STARS-p training. Jacinta’s primary research expertise is focused on psychosocial needs-based assessment and application, which developed over time including through her clinical work in suicide prevention, and her PhD where she tested and evaluated the feasibility and application of STARS protocol and related training and workforce and lived experience perceptions of these two related elements. Jacinta is also a board director of MATES in Construction (Qld/NT) and National MATES Inc. and national academic reference group member of National MATES, advisory expert member for Roses in the Ocean, and Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning, to mention a few. She is past board director of Suicide Prevention Australia (2015-2021), and several other national and international advisory boards regarding suicide prevention. Jacinta has a reviewing role for peer-reviewed journals in this domain and has presented research findings at a range of state, national and international conferences, has co-authored and edited a book, book chapters, and published numerous peer-reviewed articles and government reports in the field.Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/jacinta-hawgoodSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Om Podcasten

On every episode you will hear inspiring conversations with leading experts in the fields of psychology, sports, personal growth, nutrition and other fields in order to gain clarity and understanding on how to deal with life in these exciting, yet challenging times. Your host, Nesh Nikolic, is a Clinical Psychologist based in Canberra, Australia with over 15,000 hours of 1-on-1 therapy experience. He’s trained in a number of therapy modes including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy. Every week, Nesh will bring raw, down-to-earth and nonchalant talks right into your ears that are designed to make you think smarter and better so you can deal with life as it is - no sugar-coating or playing “happy.”