MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING
There are two catalogues available that set out the training available at the Informed, Skilled and Enhanced Levels of the Knowledge and Skills framework for Mental Health Improvement and Suicide Prevention, one for adults and one for people working with children and young people.
You can download the Adults catalogue (PDF) HERE and the Children and Young People’s catalogue (PDF) HERE.
There are regular opportunities to access free training for mental health improvement and suicide prevention. Some of these are available via Public Health and some via other organisations such as Borders Care Voice. Current training opportunities are listed below.
MENTAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
Wednesday 19th February 2025 & Wednesday 26th February 2025 – online
This is Informed Level training delivered by Borders Care Voice. It is for staff and volunteers in health and social care settings and beyond. It aims to help them develop their abilities in recognising and responding to people they meet who may be in distress and require additional support.
The training will cover:
• Mental health and how to maintain it
• The factors that can lead to mental distress or mental ill-health
• Having compassionate conversations to support people who are experiencing mental distress and may be suicidal, and help them to seek help
• Suicide prevention
More information about the training can be found in the Borders Care Voice Training Programme. To book a place click HERE.
WAVE AFTER WAVE SUICIDE BEREAVEMENT TRAINING
Tuesday 25th February 2025 9am – 1pm
Borders Care Voice, Triest House, Bridge Street, Galashiels TD1 1SW.
The training will cover:
• Statistics and context – the prevalence and impact of suicide bereavement in the Scottish Borders
• Understanding grief and suicide bereavement
• Providing a compassionate response to suicide bereavement
• The impact of working with suicide bereavement on staff and strategies to manage wellbeing
More information about the training can be found in the Borders Care Voice Training Programme. To book a place click HERE.
SAFETALK
Monday 3rd March 12:30pm – 4:30pm
Borders Care Voice, Triest House, Bridge Street, Galashiels TD1 1SW.
Training that will help you, regardless of prior experience or training, to become suicide alert
• Access to support
• TALKsteps: tell, ask, listen and KeepSafe
• Hands-on skills practice and development
More information about the training can be found in the Borders Care Voice Training Programme. To book a place click HERE.
APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING (ASIST)
ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognise when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.
Please email health.improvement@borders.scot.nhs.uk to be added to the distribution list for ASIST to be informed when the next course is open for booking.
MASTERCLASSES FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN SCOTLAND
A series of masterclasses are available from The Mental Health Improvement, Self-harm and Suicide Prevention programme at NHS Education for Scotland in partnership with Public Health Scotland. The masterclasses are made available on TURAS (link below, registration may be required)
https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/73663
LIVING WORKS START SUICIDE PREVENTION MODULE
Self-directed learning (60 – 90 mins)
This online course is a good introduction to learning suicide prevention skills, from the provider of the ASIST course. LivingWorks Start teaches you to recognise when someone is thinking about suicide and connect them to help and support. Using a four-step model to keep someone safe from suicide, you will have the chance to practice your skills with simulated conversations. Links to safety resources and support are available throughout.
To register for a licence email health.improvement@borders.scot.nhs.uk
SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Tuesday 4th March 2025: 9am – 1pm
Thursday 27th March 2025: 9am – 1pm
Tuesday 27th May 2025: 9am – 1pm
This is a bespoke half day facilitated training session covering Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention for Children and Young People.
It is aimed at anybody working with children and young people who are likely to have direct and/or substantial contact with those who may be at risk of self-harm or suicide.
The session covers:
Facts and trends associated with self-harm and suicide in young people; common risk, protective and stress factors related to self-harm and suicide in young people; an awareness of the impact a sensitive, compassionate approach can achieve when discussing self-harm and suicide (using the principles of Time, Space and Compassion); the links between self-harm, suicidal thoughts and trauma informed practice and; approaches to support including the steps involved in safety planning.
Anyone attending this training must first complete the Informed Level e-module ‘Promoting children and young people’s mental health and preventing self harm and suicide’
Email health.improvement@borders.scot.nhs.uk for further information and to register for a place.