This training is being provided for free and has been fully funded by Somerset Council and is only available to those living and working in Somerset.

Places are limited and we would ask that organisations / departments only book two places on each course. These courses will be offered throughout the year.

The course is fully funded and therefore free to attend but failure to attend may result in your organisation being charged.

This 3.5hr online training session is aimed at anyone who wants to understand more about suicide, how to know when someone may be having thoughts of suicide, how to talk directly and comfortably about suicide, and what we can all do to offer practical support.

Around 1 in 5 of us will have thoughts of suicide during our lifetime. It is a common response to stressful and overwhelming life events. We believe that Suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and that anyone in our communities can be alert to when someone is at risk of suicide, and to support that person to take the first steps towards getting help.

Who is the session for?

Anyone in frontline support, pastoral, line management or trusted adult role. This might include individuals from;

• Health and social care
• Mental health providers
• Advice and guidance agencies
• Third sector organisations and charities
• Community and sports groups
• Line managers and workplace champions
• Universities, Colleges, Schools and youth organisations
• Primary care and pharmacies
• Housing providers
• Local Authority staff

What does the session cover?

• Learning common myths and key facts about suicide
• Being aware of the local and national context of suicide
• Being aware of the importance of suicide awareness within the community
• Being more prepared to talk openly and honestly about suicide
• Understanding how stigma and our own attitudes can have an impact
• Understanding the nature of thoughts of suicide
• Appreciating the continuum of thoughts of suicide and the concept of ambivalence
• Understanding the many and varied reasons that someone may think of suicide
• Being alert to the signs and invitations
• Be able to ask direct questions about thoughts of suicide
• Appreciate the importance of compassionate listening
• Be aware of resources available and
• Understand the importance of assessing situation and safety planning

How is the session delivered?

This online session is delivered on Zoom by two of our dedicated and experienced suicide prevention trainers. Full joining instructions are provided prior to the course starting and technical and personal support are available through the session.

Given the nature of the training we ask all participants to keep cameras on and to identify in advance an individual source of support to access should the material prove triggering.

Participants receive a PDF worksheet and a post course handbook.

A Certificate of Attendance can be downloaded once you have completed the course.

What our participants had to say

"Very concise and really helpful, thank you"

"Thank you for your help with this, and thank you also for the time and energy you all put in to promoting awareness in this vital field."

"That is one of the best bits of training I have done online and far more engaging than others I have attended in person. Thank you both so much!!"

Orange Button

Completion of the training will also qualify individuals for the countywide Orange Button community awareness scheme. The Orange Button Scheme is a way of identifying someone who has undertaken suicide prevention training and who feels comfortable talking about suicide and knows where to find help and support.

Questions about the training?

If you have any questions about the course and its content please contact alice.newton-leeming@every-life-matters.org.uk

Who are the trainers?

Every Life Matters is a Cumbrian Suicide Prevention and Suicide Bereavement Support Charity. We deliver a wide range of suicide prevention, self-harm and mental health training, Suicide Safer Community projects and provide support to individuals, families and organisations bereaved and affected by suicide in Cumbria. Find out more at www.every-life-matters.org.uk

Our training in Somerset is led by Alice Newton-Leeming who has over twelve years experience delivering suicide prevention training across a range of audiences and settings. Alongside working with Every Life Matters, Alice runs her own training business, Mental Health Learning, and is a trainer Consultant with Young Minds. Previously Alice worked as National Training Manager at Papyrus, the national young peoples suicide prevention charity.

Alice will be supported delivering our Somerset Programme by the wider Every Life Matters Training Team. For more details about our Trainers visit www.every-life-matters.org.uk/our-trainers/