Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
In-person suicide intervention training for workplaces, healthcare teams and community organisations. Suicide can affect any workplace, service, family or community. Many people want to help when someone is struggling, but they may feel unsure what to say, how to ask about suicide, or how to support someone safely in the moment.
UK Patient Care delivers Suicide First Aid Helper Training through the recognised LivingWorks ASIST programme, also known as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. This is a practical, two-day, in-person course designed to help participants recognise when someone may be thinking about suicide, engage in a direct and compassionate conversation and work with them to develop a safety plan.
This course is suitable for organisations that want staff to feel more prepared, confident and capable when supporting people who may be at risk of suicide. It is especially relevant for healthcare, education, housing, social care, security, local authority, charity and frontline support roles.
Suicide First Aid Helper Training Course
Course Overview
The Suicide First Aid Helper course is delivered face to face only. It is not an online course, as the learning relies on group discussion, skills practice, guided conversations, observation and supported role-play.
Over two full days, learners explore how suicide risk may present, why people may experience suicidal thoughts and how to respond in a calm, structured and compassionate way. The course gives participants the opportunity to practise the skills needed to speak with someone at risk and support them towards immediate safety.
This is not a general mental health awareness course. It is a more focused suicide intervention course for people who may need to respond when someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts or showing signs that they may be at risk.
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What Learners Will Gain
The training helps learners understand how suicidal thoughts can develop, how to notice invitations for help, and how to respond without judgement. Learners will practise how to ask clear and direct questions, listen with empathy, consider immediate safety needs and support the person to connect with appropriate help.
The course also looks at the importance of community resources, referral routes, life promotion and self-care for those supporting others.
Key Course Details
Delivery: In-person only
Duration: 2 days
Times: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Group size: Minimum 15 delegates, maximum 30 delegates
Awarding body: LivingWorks International
Certificate: Certificate of attendance or completion
Cost: Price to be confirmed
Included: Certification, course workbook, books and training materials
Trainers: Two instructors per course
Venue: Delivered at your organisation’s venue or an agreed training location, subject to room requirements
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What Learners Will Gain
What the Course Covers
This two-day course includes:
Learning the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and how to support someone to move towards safety.
Understanding how to connect people with appropriate professional support, community resources and wider support networks.
Recognising the importance of self-care, boundaries and support for people who are helping others in crisis.
LivingWorks states that ASIST learners practise real conversations, group reflection and safety planning over two engaging days with certified trainers.
Course Takeaways
56.5%
After Training
98.8%
Why Choose UK Patient Care?
UK Patient Care delivers specialist training across healthcare, public sector, education, security, housing and frontline environments. Our team understands the challenges faced by staff working with vulnerable people, distressed individuals and high-pressure situations. We focus on practical, compassionate and professional training that helps staff respond with confidence while maintaining dignity, safety and care. Our wider training experience includes work with NHS trusts, healthcare providers, universities, councils, housing providers, charities and frontline teams. The supplied course PDF lists previous training experience with a range of organisations including NHS locations, universities, housing providers, Network Rail, Bradford BID, Birmingham BID, Change Grow Live and Humankind.
FAQ’s
What is Suicide First Aid Helper training?
Suicide First Aid Helper training is a practical two-day course that helps learners recognise when someone may be thinking about suicide and respond in a structured, compassionate and safe way. The course teaches learners how to have direct conversations about suicide, support
Is this the same as Mental Health Awareness training?
No. Mental Health Awareness training is broader and usually covers common mental health conditions, stigma, early signs and general support. Suicide First Aid Helper training is more focused. It is specifically designed around suicide intervention, safety planning and supporting someone who may be at immediate risk.
Is this course delivered online?
No. This course is delivered in person only. The training involves discussion, practical exercises, role-play and coached skills practice, which are essential parts of the learning process.
How long is the course?
The course runs over two full days, usually from 9:00am to 5:00pm each day.
Who should attend this course?
This course is suitable for healthcare staff, mental health workers, education teams, housing teams, security staff, HR teams, managers, safeguarding leads, charity workers, local authority staff, first responders and anyone who may need to support someone at risk of suicide.
Do learners need previous mental health training?
No previous mental health training is required. The course is designed to be accessible to people from a wide range of roles and backgrounds.
What qualification or certificate will learners receive?
Learners receive a certificate of attendance or completion through LivingWorks International, subject to completing the course requirements.
What is ASIST?
ASIST stands for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. It is a two-day LivingWorks programme that teaches suicide first aid intervention skills, including recognising risk, having supportive conversations and creating a safety plan.
How many people can attend?
The course is designed for a minimum of 15 delegates and a maximum of 30 delegates.
How much does the course cost?
Can UK Patient Care deliver this at our workplace?
Why are two rooms needed?
Is this course suitable for NHS and healthcare teams?
Does the course teach people to become counsellors?
