N.B. PLACES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WORKING IN THE STRATFORD DISTRICT, UNITED KINGDOM.

The 'Suicide First Aid: Understanding Suicide Intervention' City & Guilds assured programme teaches the skills and knowledge needed to identify someone who may be thinking about suicide, and confidently intervene to help create suicide-safety as a first aid approach.

This course qualifies you as a Suicide First Aider, allowing you to:

Recognise when someone may be thinking about suicide, and provide them with appropriate support
Encourage a person to identify and access sources of professional help and other supports
Have a conversation about suicide with improved mental health literacy around language and stigma

What you'll receive:

A hard copy workbook to support your learning through the course
A Suicide First Aider digital assured certificate of attendance
A Suicide First Aider digital badge
The option to register for a City & Guilds accredited unit of learning (additional fee applies)

Course Breakdown:

Part 1 - 09:30 to 11:00

Introduction to: the day; 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 Suicidal 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

Methods of delivery: 7 hour course using tutor facilitated Socratic learning, tutor-led practise session, mini lectures, group work and audio-visual presentations. This is a highly interactive and emotionally engaging learning experience.

Who can benefit? 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.

Eligibility: Open to all learners aged 18 or over. 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.

Suicide First Aid (Funded by Stratford District Council)