Course Overview
This 1-day programme, led by Isobel, who is a National Tutor for the National Centre For Suicide Prevention and Education Training (NCSPET), provides learners with a greater understanding and confidence to intervene with people at risk of suicide, and to help create suicide-safety as a first aid approach in the workplace.
Suicide First Aid ® is designed for everyone in all professions and community roles. Learners will be guided to self-reflect and empathise with a person having thoughts of suicide. The course is trauma-informed, which creates a safe learning environment. There is no expectation for Learners to share personal experiences.
The course, created by the NCSPET, is evidence-based, grounded in research and includes lived-experience input. equips you with the tools to recognise the signs of suicide, initiate life-saving conversations, and connect people with appropriate resources. Whether you're a healthcare professional, educator, HR personnel, or concerned community member, this programme empowers you to make a real difference.
Course Structure
Understanding Suicide Intervention (SFA:USI) is a full-day suicide first aid training programme. It can be delivered online or in-person and has an upper limit of 16 learners.
This course is written by the National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Education, the UK’s leading international provider of assured suicide prevention education and training programmes. It is also fully accredited by the Royal Society For Public Health.
Part 1
Working with attitudes & values
Stigma, survivors of bereavement by suicide and the Hidden Toll®
Suicide TheRippleEffect®
Understanding suicide thoughts and suicide behaviour
Intention of behaviour Versus Outcome of behaviour®
Suicide prevention – intervention and postvention
Partnership working – First Aid Approach
Part 2
Meeting the needs of a person who is thinking about suicide
Suicide – Safety Guide 3-step model
Step 1 – Recognise and asking about suicide
Step 2 – Understanding and exploring options
Step 3 – Helping you cope
Suicide – safety and self-care
Future Learning
Course Outcome
By completing this course, participants will become certified Suicide First Aiders®, and will gain:
Knowledge to spot the signs of someone who may be thinking about suicide
Confidence to intervene and help create a suicide-safety plan as a first aid approach
Skills to offer support to someone in distress or who may be experiencing suicide thoughts
Knowledge of helpful and destigmatising language when talking about suicide
A deep understanding of how you would have a supportive conversation with someone who needs to stay safe from suicide
An understanding of factors that contribute to suicidal thoughts
This training empowers teams to foster a culture of openness, encourage early intervention, and create a mentally healthy workplace where employees can thrive.
We deliver MHFA England’s evidence-based training, trusted by over 20,000 employers for over 15 years.
Our courses are available online or face-to-face, ensuring accessibility for teams anywhere.
Our training helps create supportive workplace cultures, boosting productivity with measurable results.
Expertise in mental health
Providing tools to respond effectively during mental health crises.
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Increasing understanding of mental health conditions and their symptoms.
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Educating teams on strategies to enhance mental health and resilience.
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Providing tools to respond effectively during mental health crises.
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Promoting open conversations to break down barriers around mental health.
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Delivering impactful training in schools and colleges to foster early awareness.
We provide a range of courses online or in-person, including Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, mental health skills for managers training, Mental Health Awareness training, Suicide First Aid (SFA), Suicide First Aid Lite (SFA Lite), Suicide First Aid Heavy Industry and work placemental health consultancy.
Our courses are designed for employees, managers, HR professionals, and business leaders who want to create a mentally healthy workplace. Whether you’re looking to train dedicated Mental Health First Aiders and Suicide First Aiders, or equip managers with mental health skills, we have a course to suit your needs.
Yes, all our courses are fully accredited by the Royal Society of Public Health. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Mental Health Awareness and Mental Health Skills for Managers are created by MHFA England, and are based on research and developed by mental health experts alongside people with lived experience of mental ill health. Our Suicide Prevention courses are created by The National Centre for Suicide Prevention Education and Training – the UK’s leading international provider of assured suicide prevention education.
We have training options to suit a range of timescales and budgets. The Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health Skills for Managers, Suicide First Aid Lite and Suicide First Aid for Heavy Industries are half-day courses. The Suicide First Aid and Suicide First Aid for Heavy Industries are one-day courses. The Mental Health First Aider course is two-days.
Yes! We offer whole group training sessions for businesses, or you can book for one or several colleagues to join participants from other organisations. We also limit group sizes to a maximum of 16 people to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment.
Take the next step in creating a supportive, productive workplace, reach out now.
At Understanding Minds, our mission is to create healthier, more inclusive workplaces through online and onsite mental health first aid training—so every employee feels supported, valued, and empowered.
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