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Suicide First Aid through Understanding Suicide Intervention

A unique learning experience, suitable for anyone who seeks greater understanding and confidence to intervene with people at risk of suicide.

Course Context

This 1-day training course, accredited by City and Guilds of London, teaches the theory and practice of suicide intervention skills which can be applied in any professional or personal setting.

The Suicide First Aid through Understanding Suicide Intervention (SFAUSI) course gives learners the knowledge and tools to understand that suicide is one of the most preventable deaths and some basic skills can help someone with thoughts of suicide stay safe from their thoughts and stay alive.

We use only the most experienced suicide prevention trainers to deliver this unique learning experience.

Duration: 1-day course
Capacity: 16 delegates max.
Availability: All of our in-house courses are delivered by our UK wide network of trainers

Who Is It For?

The course is for anyone who seeks greater understanding and confidence to intervene with people at risk of suicide. This includes, but is not restricted to: multi-sector managers and practitioners including health, housing, social care, education, criminal justice; call centre operators; private, voluntary and public sector workers; and community groups or members.

Evidence Base

Two independent evaluations in 2016 and 2017 by Dr Paul Rogers demonstrated significant statistical change in 14 of 19 measures. Increased confidence and reduced anxiety in dealing with suicide, were among the leading outcomes.

Methods of delivery

This is a highly interactive and emotionally engaging learning experience. It is taught over 6 hours using tutor facilitated Socratic learning, tutor led role-play, mini lectures, group work and audio-visual presentations.

Pre-training requirement

No previous experience or training is necessary. Participants will be asked to self-reflect and empathise with a person having thoughts of suicide. There is no expectation on participants to share personal experiences.

Accreditation (Optional)

The course has been accredited by City & Guilds of London. Participants will gain 6 NQF credit points at Level 4 by completing a workbook of tasks that are assessed against the set learning outcomes.

Course Content

Suicide First Aid through Understanding Suicide Intervention is comprised of 4 parts, each approximately 90 minutes duration.

Part 1 - 09:30 to 11:00

Introduction to the day; the programme; ourselves and suicide prevention
Stigma, survivors of bereavement by suicide and the hidden toll
Suicide thoughts and suicide behaviour
Intention of behaviour versus outcome of behaviour
Possible causes of suicide thoughts

Part 2 - 11:15 to 12:45

Suicide: The Ripple Effect
Population-based approach to suicide prevention
Partnership working
Working with attitudes and values
“I’m so glad you told me” audio visual

Part 3 - 13:30 to 14:45

Meeting the needs of a person who is thinking about suicide
Suicide Safety Guide
Step 1 - Recognising suicide and Asking about suicide
Step 2 - Understanding options

Part 4 - 15:00 to 16:30

Step 3 - Safeguarding suicide
Suicide - safety and self-care
The risk assessment approach
Suicide and suicide gestures
Future learning

The programme teaches and practices the skills and knowledge needed to identify someone who may be thinking about suicide and competently intervene to help create suicide-safety as a first aid approach.

A testimonial for the Suicide First Aid through Understanding Suicide Intervention Course:

"Last year we had a client who took their own life ... it really impacted on me and my team. I am happy that if a crisis situation happened again our support for staff would now be more effective."

Related Training Courses

SafeTALK Suicide Alertness for Everyone

Participants can expect to leave the 3-hour safeTALK course with practical knowledge, helping identify those who are at risk, confidently asking them about the topic of suicide, and connecting them with resources that can help them stay safe. Suitable for anyone in the workplace who wants to become a suicide-alert helper.

A Managers Guide to Suicide Postvention Planning in the Workplace

This 1-day course helps an organisation consider the activities they should undertake if the unthinkable happened and a death by suicide of an employee, contractor or client occurred. Participants will learn the skills to construct and initiate an appropriate, sensitive organisational & individual response and the syllabus will support the production of a company specific plan.

ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Training

The world’s leading suicide intervention workshop is suitable for anyone who wants to be able to provide suicide first aid, regardless of their prior experience. The ASIST model equips participants to carry out an intervention and risk assessment with a colleague, customer or client who is having thoughts of suicide.

Find out more

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions. We are always happy to talk about our courses and help you to work out the best match for your requirements.

Email us or call 01383 324 122

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

"The quality of the training has been fantastic and our employees are really engaging with the trainer and getting something out of it. Also In Equilibrium makes the whole process very easy to arrange."

— Employee Engagement & Wellbeing Officer, Sophie Holland

AGE UK

"We wanted to provide a course that taught useful and practical coping strategies that our members could put into place straight away. In Equilibrium’s experience showed us that they could provide this, and they tailored the course perfectly."

— The Association of Electoral Administrators

"In-Equilibrium recently presented Mental Health Awareness to Managers in all of our area offices. The training was really well received and all of the trainers were praised for their in-depth knowledge and understanding."

— Roger Bullivant Limited

"The training was very well received by staff who now all intend to implement the session’s practical tips and techniques into their existing roles. A large proportion of the staff rated the facilitator and their delivery as excellent and their only recommendation was for a further and longer session!"

— Leeds City College

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