You're seeped into the self-help model. Not necessarily a bad thing but you would be providing misguidance to suggest someone has to have "been through it" to understand it. Actually, very little scientific evidence to suggest it is actually beneficial. I would argue one's recovery (from alcoholism, depression, anxiety, etc) is unique and that my way can actually get in the way of their way. We are all human and experience the pain and sorrow of "life"...that should be sufficient.
Now, we talk of suicide...my brother hung himself off a bridge in the center of my town. Does that make me more qualified to speak about the subject? Hells no