Suicide and attempted suicide has lasting impacts on a wide range of individuals, family and whanau, especially when the person who was at risk was young. Many of those with suicidal ideation may provide indications to others of their intentions, risk, and need for support, or may be within a group known to be at high risk. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of suicide, assessment of level of risk, appropriate responses and interventions, and of available community resources, can assist to reduce this risk.

Abacus can provide either a one-day course that will focus upon this knowledge, and training in appropriate intervention skills, or provide a two-day in depth course that involves higher skills training with training involving realistic scenarios. Programmes will be adjusted and designed to complement the trainee organisation’s field of work, with resources, including referral options, provided in a pack.

Training content will include:

• current information, research, models and theories of suicide
• levels of risk for suicide of different cultures, ages, gender, and those with co-occurring health issues
• signs and symptoms of suicide
• assessment of risk
• relationship of depression, and alcohol and other drug use to suicide
• appropriate interventions
• referral agencies
• interactive exercises

Delivery of the training will be provided by experienced registered mental health professionals, with client examples providing illustration of key points. An NZQA registered certificate of attendance will be provided upon completion.