Building Understanding and Making Change, One Story at a Time

About Us

The Oregon Listening Project is a statewide effort funded by the Oregon Health Authority. It aims to better understand the lives of young people (age 24 and under) who have died by suicide or suspected suicide. The heart of our work is to provide suicide loss survivors with an opportunity to tell the story of their loved one in an effort to promote healing, better understand the many factors that contribute to profound loss, and ultimately make positive change locally and statewide. Certified by the National Association of Retrospective Fatality Analysts, we listen to your perspective, uncover contributing factors, address gaps in supportive systems, and inform future prevention efforts.

  • "I felt like...it was invisible. Nobody could see it. And knowing that somebody is interested in why the things happened and how to prevent this from happening for someone else, it means a lot. It's very, very, very important."

    Interview Participant

  • "Talking about my brother makes me happy. Oh, it helps, it honestly does."

    Interview Participant

  • "It means a lot to me. I appreciate that you reached out."

    Interview Participant

  • "It does feel good to talk about it. It does feel like this is a space that, well, that makes me feel good."

    Interview Participant

  • "Conversation like this, you know, gives me a better understanding."

    Interview Participant

Frequently Asked Questions

When does outreach start?

We begin outreach to families 5 months after a death. This allows for immediate postvention support and services to take place. In Oregon, this may include support from county mental health, public health, Tribes, community organizations, Suicide Rapid Response (SRR) or other local resources.

What can I expect?

Families will receive a mailer from the Oregon Listening Project at 5 months after a death. This will include a link to this website, contact information, and next steps. Families will receive a call or text a month later. They will have an opportunity to speak with our team, get questions answered, and decide if they want to participate in the interview. If they decide to participate, they will complete a consent form and schedule an interview with one of our interviewers, either in person, over the phone, or Zoom.

What good does this do?

Compassionate Understanding: Provides families and friends with a voice and promotes healing.

Systemic Change: Identifies gaps in prevention and across different systems that impact people’s lives.

Informed Prevention: Your stories and perspectives influence policy and programming in your county and state.

Contact Us

If you have received information about Oregon Listening Project and would like to schedule an interview or find out more information, please fill out the form and our team will reach out to you.

Meet the Team

  • Nick Jensen, QMHA

    Project Manager, Matchstick Consulting

    nick@matchstickpdx.com

    971-460-8330

  • Maryanne Mueller, M.S.

    Research Associate, Optimal Healing Institute

  • Liz Thorne, MPH

    Director, Matchstick Consulting

Resources

  • Grief Literacy: how Do I Help Someone Who is Grieving?

    From the University of Utah. Find information and a recorded webinar on grief literacy and compassionate care to better understand how best to respond to people experiencing grief and loss.

    More Information

  • National Association of Retrospective Fatality Analysts

    Find out more about the certification, training and purpose behind the RFA process.

    More Information

  • Find your county Postvention Response Lead

    Find contact information for each county’s Postvention Response Lead. These people serve as one resource in your community.

    More Information