Suicide Bereavement (Open Access Course)

About This Event

Live online training via MS Teams

The Academy at Harmless is pleased to offer life-saving training to delegates from all sectors and backgrounds through its Open Access Courses.

Suicide bereavement brings a complex grief that calls for sensitivity and compassion. Our training gives you the knowledge, skills and confidence to offer respectful support, break down barriers and use helpful, appropriate language. Designed for workplaces or community settings, this course equips you to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected.

Learning outcomes:

• The magnitude of suicide bereavement
• Suicide loss as a unique form of complex bereavement
• ‘Complicated grief’, trauma and other individual responses to suicide
• The wider impact of bereavement on those exposed to or affected by suicide
• The stigma and shame associated with suicide and bereavement
• Bereavement by suicide as a unique risk factor for suicide
• Responding to those bereaved by suicide and how we can help to support them
• Key UK strategic guidance and research on best practice in shaping services to incorporate suicide bereavement support
• Postvention: what it means and why it matters
• A local service perspective: The Tomorrow Project’s work supporting those affected

Our online training is delivered via MS Teams. Once registered, you will receive an email with login details for the session. During sessions, we provide all delegates with frequent breaks to ensure that screen fatigue is kept to a minimum.

Who Should Attend
Ideal for a broad spectrum of professionals, this course is specifically tailored for those who may come in to contact with, or support individuals bereaved, exposed to or impacted by a death by suicide.

Target audiences may include:

• Clinical and Mental Health Professionals: Mental health support workers, senior professionals, and clinical staff whose role involves postvention (support following a suicide).
• Bereavement Specialists: Funeral directors, bereavement counsellors, and bereavement support service providers.
• Frontline Staff (General): Any frontline staff whose role involves supporting people, including those who may be experiencing complex grief.
• Legal and Advisory Services: Professionals who work alongside or support those affected by relationship breakdown (e.g., family law, divorce solicitors, family liaison officers, relationship counsellors).
• Health and Social Care: Professionals in Social Care services, Primary Care, and Physical Health Services.
• Welfare and Community Settings: Individuals working in community groups, workplaces, and welfare settings.
• Informal Support Networks: Families, carers, and support networks of those bereaved by suicide.
• Emergency & First Responders: Police, Fire Service, Paramedics, and other Emergency Services personnel.

About Harmless
Harmless is the centre of excellence for self harm and suicide prevention. Each year, we support thousands of people who self harm, are in suicide crisis or have been bereaved by suicide. We’re also committed to sharing our expertise so everyone feels confident talking about mental health and supporting those in distress. That’s why we created The Academy at Harmless – to equip people to respond with confidence and compassion when it matters most. All our inclusive, interactive training is CPD-accredited, aligned with national guidelines and delivered by expert Training & Education Officers.

Self-Care
The topics covered in this training can be emotionally challenging. Delegates are encouraged to be mindful of the personal impact that this training may have and to seek reassurance, support or guidance from the Trainer if they feel distressed or affected. We also encourage delegates to practise self-care throughout the course – taking breaks as needed and managing personal disclosure. All Trainers have direct access to a clinical team for additional support if required.