Suicide Prevention & Intervention (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.

This Suicide Prevention course will give you the tools to support those at risk, challenge stigma and foster recovery – building the practical skills and confidence to help people affected by suicidal thoughts, their families and communities.

Learning outcomes:

• Improve knowledge and understanding of suicide (including myths and facts)
• Understand the magnitude of suicide
• Identify risk groups, risk factors and warning signs (including COVID)
• Recognise the wider impacts of suicide
• Identify effective risk assessing skills
• Build skill and confidence in responding to and supporting someone in suicidal crisis, both short and long term
• Understand how to implement effective practical support for someone in suicide crisis
• Recognise protective factors and their importance of recovery and support
• Discuss how and where to signpost individuals to appropriate help
• Understand the relationship between self harm, mental health and suicide

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
This course is founded on the principle that "suicide is everybody's business," making it suitable for a broad audience. It is designed for any individual, whether a frontline professional, manager, volunteer, community member, or family supporter, who wishes to develop the confidence and practical skills necessary to recognise distress, offer compassionate support, and competently intervene when encountering someone at risk of suicide

Target audiences may include:

• Frontline Staff Across All Sectors
• Wider Public and Private Professionals Across All Sectors
• Non-Clinical and Community Support Staff Across All Sectors
• Clinical Staff: Decision-makers and frontline personnel in mental health services, physical health services, primary care, drug and alcohol services, and occupational health.
• Non-Clinical Staff: Administrators, receptionists, call handlers and volunteers.
• Emergency & First Responders: Police, Fire Service, Paramedics, and other Emergency Services personnel.
• Social Care: Staff in Social Services, Adult Social Care, and Early Help Family Services.Welfare Settings: Staff and providers in housing associations, supported housing, and homeless shelters.
• Community and Voluntary Sector: Community and voluntary sector organisations, Community Champions, Community Workers, Social Prescribers, and Faith/Community Groups.
• Educational Staff: Teaching staff and others working in schools, colleges, and universities.
• General Public: Individuals with an interest in developing their awareness, including friends, family, and volunteers.
• Local Authorities: Staff involved in implementing local suicide prevention plans.
• Organisations at Higher Risk: Professionals working with groups that have common risk factors, such as those experiencing financial difficulty, domestic abuse, or social isolation.
• Workplaces: Staff and managers in private sector organisations.
• General Service Contact Points: Transport staff, receptionists, hairdressers/barbers, taxi drivers and anyone in a role that involves regular contact with members of the public.

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.