Suicide Prevention Course

Suicide Prevention – Online Course

Course overview
This online course introduces the principles of suicide prevention, with a focus on community partnerships, prevention strategies and coordinated support for people affected by suicide. Learners explore how suicide-related information can inform prevention efforts, the importance of raising awareness, and approaches to supporting people who have experienced bereavement or been affected by suicide. The course takes approximately 1 hour to complete and carries 1 CPD point.

Please note: This course provides introductory Level 1 awareness of suicide prevention. It does not replace any practical, regulated or role-specific training an employer may require, or specialist support and intervention where these are needed.

What the course covers
• Introduction to suicide prevention
• Suicide prevention partnerships
• Community and multi-agency collaboration
• Suicide prevention strategies
• Developing suicide prevention action plans
• Gathering and analysing suicide-related information
• Collecting and analysing community data
• Raising awareness of suicide prevention
• Recognising differences between individuals and communities
• Reducing access to methods of suicide
• Providing training to support prevention efforts
• Supporting people bereaved by or affected by suicide
• Understanding suicide clusters
• Reducing the harmful effects of media reporting

Who is it for?
This introductory course is suitable for people seeking suicide prevention awareness as part of their work, community involvement or professional development. It may be useful for:
• Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and mental health practitioners
• Mental health support workers and therapists
• Social workers and counsellors
• Police officers, paramedics and other emergency responders
• Teachers, school counsellors and education staff
• Community leaders, volunteers and community organisations
• Human resources professionals, managers and workplace wellbeing representatives
• Peer support workers
• Staff undertaking induction or refresher training
• Individuals looking to improve their awareness and understanding of suicide prevention

Practical benefits
• Develop an understanding of suicide prevention approaches
• Recognise the importance of collaboration between community services and agencies
• Understand how suicide-related information can support prevention planning
• Appreciate the role of awareness-raising in suicide prevention
• Understand approaches to reducing access to methods of suicide
• Recognise the needs of people bereaved by or affected by suicide
• Understand the importance of addressing harmful effects of media reporting
• Strengthen awareness of when concerns may require appropriate support or escalation

What learners will be able to do
• Explain key principles and terminology associated with suicide prevention
• Describe the role of partnerships in community prevention efforts
• Identify the purpose of suicide prevention strategies and action plans
• Understand how suicide-related information and community data can inform prevention work
• Recognise the importance of raising awareness and acknowledging differences between individuals and communities
• Describe approaches to reducing access to methods of suicide
• Understand the importance of supporting people bereaved by or affected by suicide
• Recognise the potential impact of suicide clusters and media reporting
• Understand the importance of working with relevant people and services when concerns arise

Assessment and certificate
Learners complete an online quiz at the end of the course. On successful completion, they receive a CPD-accredited certificate that can be downloaded or printed. The course takes approximately 1 hour to complete, carries 1 CPD point and includes unlimited assessment retakes.