Suicide First Aid
Benefits:
The course covers the theory and practice of suicide intervention skills that can be applied in any professional or personal setting. SFA is developed in the UK by the National Centre for Suicide Prevention and Training (NCSPT). It is accessible online and face to face.
This training compliments and builds on the knowledge, skills and key messages learnt through MHFA England’s Mental Health First Aid Course.
Two independent evaluations of the training in 2016 and 2017 by Dr Paul Rogers demonstrated significant statistical change in 14 of 19 measures. Increased confidence and reduced anxiety in dealing with suicide, were among the leading outcomes.
Pre-training requirement:
No previous experience or training is necessary. Although having completed a Mental Health First Aid course would be an additional benefit. Participants will be asked to self-reflect and empathise with a person having thoughts of suicide. There is no expectation on participants to share personal experiences.
Course choices:
SFA Lite (3.5 hrs)
The programme teaches the skills needed to identify someone who may be thinking about suicide and to pass the person onto a suicide first aider.
SFA USI 1day (6Hrs)
‘Suicide First Aid Through Understanding Suicide Intervention’
City and Guilds Qualification option.
Unlike ASSIST this course is a nationally recognised qualification. The 1day Understanding Suicide Intervention (USI) provides the opportunity to access the City and Guilds Unit 407 ‘Understanding Suicide Intervention’ that is part of the Diploma in Healthcare Support worth 6 points on National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
This is through an application process to City and Guilds (C&G) within one week of the SFA Training date and comes with an additional cost. Once the application to the C&G is successful and their fee paid, the module is solely managed by the City and Guilds. It involves completing a workbook of tasks that are assessed against four set learning outcomes and their associated criteria within 6 weeks of the payment date.
Unit/Module Aims:
This unit is aimed at individuals who have a role in contributing to suicide prevention. This may include workers in the health and social care, education or criminal justice sectors and members of local communities who form part of a network of support within an organised suicide prevention framework. It provides an understanding of the factors that may lead to suicidal behaviour and knowledge of the key components of suicide prevention.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand suicidal behaviour, its causes and prevalence.
- Understand the role of the caregiver in managing suicide interventions.
- Understand the process of suicide intervention.
- Know how to reflect on the application and personal impact of suicide interventions.
