suicide first aid Training

“Informative and practical, it’s a helpful foundation for anyone to understand how to recognise signs and broach a conversation on suicide”

Suicide First Aid teaches the theory and practice of suicide intervention skills that can be applied in any professional or personal setting.

We can provide the following versions:

  • Lite

  • Understanding Suicide Intervention

  • Young Adults

  • Children and Young People

The course will be led by Jess Hulton, Lead of The New Normal Charity Hong Kong and Associate Tutor in Suicide First Aid.

Overview

This course is for anyone who seeks greater understanding and confidence to intervene with people at risk of suicide. We teach the theory and practice of suicide intervention skills that can be applied in any professional or personal setting.

All Suicide First Aid courses give 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.

Training offers learning outcomes that are knowledge-based and factual. This training can be used as a stand-alone programme or as the first part of a journey to learn suicide prevention skills.

  • Suicide First Aid is based on exceptional evidence, and independent evaluations describe it as the Gold Standard in Suicide Prevention Training.

    It has been accredited by City & Guilds Institute and The National Centre for Suicide Prevention Education and Training from 2013 to date.

    SFA is Gold Standard training because uniquely;

    • It is externally moderated, accredited, and Assured by City & Guilds.

    • It is evidence-based

    • It is developed and provided exclusively by a small cohort of Associate Trainers on a not-for-profit basis

    • Although it is UK developed, it is adapted and culturally aware for international audiences

    • It is supported by one of the oldest, most widely recognised, and respected international awarding bodies in the world

    SFA gives learners the tools and knowledge they need to understand suicide is one of the most preventable deaths and that simple skills are all that is required to help someone with thoughts of suicide stay safe from their thoughts and stay alive. SFA: Suicide First Aid saves lives for tomorrow.

    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.

  • Taught using tutor-facilitated learning, tutor-led practise sessions, mini lectures, group work and audio-visual presentations. This has some interactive elements and is an emotionally engaging learning experience.

  • 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.

  • Everyone!

    We believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn the theory and skills to feel confident in suicide prevention.

    Since its creation, this training solution has met the learning needs of multiple groups, from Police and other First Responders to religious groups, veteran support providers, domestic abuse practitioners, community helpers, and healthcare practitioners, including primary and secondary care, in addition to housing, social care, security officers, armed forces, the education sector, accredited counsellors and more…

What people are saying about SFA Training

  • This was a great course that was detailed enough to be skilful without being too heavy on information and statistics.

    The tutor was obviously knowledgeable, was well prepared, had answers for every question but also encouraged us to discuss our own opinions and took on board our personal experiences.

    I have completed longer Mental Health First Aid, Assist, etc, previously, but I felt more confident leaving this course than them. I actually had to use the skills that night and was able to confidently handle the situation as a result.

  • What an excellent workshop, I feel so much more empowered and informed and that allows me to feel more hopeful around the subject of suicide.

    Rather than feeling very bleak and despairing over what can be quite a heavy topic, I feel like there are options. I would wish for everyone to attend a workshop like this.

  • Effective and empowering - making suicide intervention achievable for the ordinary person

Peer support facilitator training

We regularly hold professionally supported training for new peer support group facilitators. We empower individuals with lived experience to provide support to their community. We train over thirty-two peer support group facilitators per year.

One facilitator can provide free peer support groups for more than eighty people per year. Whether you would like to join us as a volunteer or you would like to start your own peer support group in your community we are here to help.

Training is provided in Cantonese or English.