Length:        60-90 mins

Group Size:  5 - 35

Audience:     All employees, but particularly relevant to People Managers, MHFAiders / Mental Health Champions and HR professionals

Overview

Suicide can affect any workplace, but a culture of openness, compassion and psychological safety can make it easier for people to seek support when they need it. 

This practical and compassionate course helps your people to feel more confident supporting someone who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviour. It explores how to recognise when a team member or colleague may be struggling, respond safely and sensitively, and guide them towards appropriate professional or organisational support.

Using realistic scenarios, discussion and practical frameworks, the session challenges common myths and stigma around suicide and shows how everyday conversations can make a meaningful difference. Attendees will learn how to listen without judgement, ask direct and appropriate questions, respond to a disclosure and maintain clear boundaries while taking concerns seriously.

By the end of the session, attendees will have a clearer understanding of how they can support an individual in distress and the confidence to take appropriate action when it matters. Although the subject is serious, the course is hopeful, engaging and practical, emphasising how compassionate conversations and timely support can make a real difference.

Course content

• Understanding suicide, common myths and the impact of stigmatising language and attitudes.
• Recognising possible signs that a colleague may be struggling or at risk.
• How colleagues can approach a sensitive conversation with care and confidence.
• A practical framework for responding when someone discloses suicidal thoughts or behaviour.
• How to listen, show compassion, establish immediate support needs and signpost to appropriate help.
• Understanding the importance of follow-up, confidentiality and personal boundaries when supporting a colleague.
• Case studies and scenarios to practise responding to different situations and reinforce learning.

Course outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

• Feel more confident in responding to suicide risk.
• Understand how to respond to, and have a conversation with, someone at risk of suicide and have knowledge of helpful frameworks to guide these conversations.
• Feel more confident in reassuring, supporting, and creating safe spaces for those at risk or in crisis.
• Have knowledge of places and routes for support, both for those at risk and as support for themselves following difficult conversations.
• Understand their role in supporting colleagues following a death by suicide.

Contact us  to book and for more details about the course.

Find out more about  how we approach training and learning , and about our expert training associates.