Suicide Awareness: Somerset

This free training has been fully funded by Somerset Council and is only available to those living or working in Somerset

This one hour online training session is aimed at anyone in the local community who wants to understand more about suicide and what we can all do to make a difference.

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. That it is family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and those closest to us that are most able to understand 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 the local community who wants to learn more about suicide and the simple steps anyone can take to identify and support someone who may be at risk. The session is brief but covers a lot of ground.
• We recommended anyone in a frontline support/pastoral role also takes our half day Suicide Alertness Programme, which covers the content of this session in more detail and looks further at how to respond to an individual experiencing thoughts of suicide.

What does the session cover?

• Getting informed - learn common myths and key facts about suicide
• Being aware of the signs someone may be having thoughts of suicide
• The importance of asking directly about suicide
• Listening carefully and compassionately
• Building support around the person and understanding where they can access help.
• Looking after yourself

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.

Participants also receive a PDF worksheet and a post course handbook.

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

What our participants had to say

" Thanks so much for the session. concise and informative! I think it’s hugely helpful for both work and personal life"

"This was excellent. Really well organised, the content of the training was great and great presenters. Keep up the great work and hope you can continue to deliver this to many more people"

"Thank you both, good common sense advice to give us confidence to speak to people"

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/