Suicide First Aid Child and Adolescent (delivered virtually or F2F) is a 1-day course targeted in particular at those that work with and care for children and young people. The course provides learners the knowledge and tools to understand that suicide is one of the most preventable deaths and some basic skills can help someone with thoughts of suicide stay safe from their thoughts and stay alive. The course provides an introduction to seeking a greater understanding and confidence to intervene with young people at risk of suicide
SFA Child and adolescent is comprised of four parts over one day or two half days, The programme teaches the skills needed to identify a child or young person who may be thinking about suicide or engaging in suicide behaviour and to pass the person onto specialist support. Suicide First Aid training offers learning outcomes that are knowledge based and factual. This training can be used as a stand-alone programme or as the first part of a journey to learn suicide prevention skills and takes a whole school/organisation approach.
Course content
The programme teaches the knowledge needed to identify a young person who may be thinking about suicide and competently intervene to help create suicide-safety and support with coping, as a first aid approach.
Learning outcomes
Improve understanding of young people thinking of and engaging in suicide behaviour, reasons, and magnitude of the community health problem.
Understand the role of the carer in managing suicide interventions, different roles with different people
Understand approaches and process of suicide intervention including desired outcomes
Understand the importance of self-reflection and personal impact when working with suicide and people at risk
Evidence Base
Two independent evaluations 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.
Who should attend?
Anybody in the public sector can attend this, though the primary audience are those that work with and care for children and young people
Methods of delivery
Taught over 1 day or two half days using tutor facilitated Socratic learning, tutor-led role- play, mini lectures, group work and audio-visual presentations. This is a has some interactive elements and is an emotionally engaging learning experience
Pre-training requirement
No previous experience or training is necessary. Participants will be asked to self-reflect and empathise with a person having thoughts of suicide.
