The Skills Network addresses World Suicide Prevention Day
Details: Written by Kelly Worsnop
|
Published:
World Suicide Prevention Day falls on the 10th of September, with this year’s theme set to be ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’. The World Health Organisation, original champions of the day alongside the International Association for Suicide Prevention, have expanded on this theme to say that for 2024, they hope that the perception of this complex issue will be changed.
The steps toward transforming the existing perceptions and potential stigmas of a population only ever begin in education. Existing barriers must be removed, but the correct tools for discussion must also take their place. Starting conversations around such difficult, complex matters are not simply matters of education, but re-education. With suicide now resulting in more than 700,000 deaths globally each year*, the matter is one of urgency.
The safe delivery of this must come from those trained with the right care, sensitivity, and expertise, yet these individuals can be hard to come by. Despite the growing awareness around mental health, self-harm, and suicide, it can still be difficult to find verified courses that specifically help in the education of these complex matters within a professional context.
Our Level 2 Certificate in Self-harm, Suicide Awareness and Prevention course** can offer that education. It gives individuals such as teachers, volunteers, support workers, guardians, mental health workers, or anyone in a relevant position, with a training course that provides the correct tools, responses, indicators and vocabulary to use when confronted with those expressing suicidal and/or self-harm tendencies.
This course will teach learners about the terms ‘suicide awareness’ and ‘suicide prevention’, and the resources provided explore the stigmas and stereotypes around suicidal behaviour and the effect that such social attitudes can have on children, young people and adults. Through an expert interview, learners will gain first-hand, valuable insights into the topic. Finally, the course will equip individuals with practical skills to support someone struggling with suicidal thoughts and grief, guiding them to the necessary resources for help.
Should you wish to improve your understanding and awareness of suicide and self-harm, you can find out more about our Level 2 Certificate in Self-harm, Suicide Awareness and Prevention course here
*Source: World Health Organisation
**Learners should be aware that despite every effort we make to safeguard an individual’s well-being, due to the nature of this course, some learners may find the content upsetting.