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Suicide First Aid

Understanding Suicide Intervention

The course cost is £94pp+VAT

The SFA:USI learning experience is a one-day training course accredited by The Royal Society for Public Health., the UK’s National Accredited Unit of Learning in Suicide Prevention.

This course can be taught in both a professional and personal setting and is designed for anyone who seeks greater understanding and confidence to intervene with people at risk of suicide.

Available as a face-to-face course or an online course, the SFA:USI content is split into 4 parts and teaches and practices the skills and knowledge needed to identify someone who may be thinking about suicide and competently intervene to help create a suicide-safety guide as a first aid approach.

This is a highly interactive and emotionally engaging learning experience.

Why Suicide First Aid?

  • Suicide is a major cause of preventable death, yet 6,861 people died by suicide in GB in 2023 (more than 18 people each day)
  • Those who are emotionally injured by suicide are at an increased risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts
  • Therefore, the human and economic cost of suicide is huge – if we can prevent suicide, we can reduce the impact and cost of suicide
  • Upon completion, participants feel more confident with skills and knowledge to keep someone safe from suicide
    Demonstrate GOLD standard – Setting the “Gold Standard in Suicide Prevention Training” – Dr Paul Rogers

Suicide First Aid

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Course Content - Part 1

Part 1 (90 mins)
  • 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 Suicide thoughts

Course Content - Part 2

Part 2 (90 mins)
  • 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

Course Content - Part 3

Part 3 (90 mins)
  • 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

Course Content - Part 4

Part 4 (90 mins)
  • Step 3 – Safeguarding suicide
  • Suicide-safety and self-care
  • The risk assessment approach
  • Suicide and suicide gestures
  • Future learning

Methods of Delivery

Taught over 6 hours 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.

What's Included

Each attendee will receive:

  •  Comprehensive course materials
  • A certificate upon completion of the course

Who could attend

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.

Course Numbers

Attendee numbers are recommended at a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 16 per group.

Accreditation

Participants can choose to register for the RSPH Level 4 Award in Suicide First Aid® for an additional fee of £95 per person.
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