New Online Training on Suicide Awareness Launched by HSE
Posted on the May 9th, 2024
The HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) has launched a groundbreaking online training initiative: Let’s Talk About Suicide, to empower individuals with the knowledge and confidence to address the sensitive issue of suicide.
Developed in collaboration with digital healthcare learning experts, Aurion Learning, the online training programme has been designed to break down barriers surrounding discussions on suicide.
By fostering a deeper understanding of suicide and providing practical tools, the ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ online training aims to equip participants with the skills needed to engage in lifesaving conversations and instil confidence to intervene effectively when faced with concerns about someone's well-being.
The new online training features dramatised video scenarios designed to cater to the diverse needs of participants and ensure an engaging learning experience. It also provides strategies for initiating conversations and offers guidance on accessing support services, including self-care for both the individual and those engaging in these conversations.
Utilising Aurion’s High5 custom eLearning design framework ensures that the content is not only engaging and informative but also accessible on any device, making it suitable for individuals with busy schedules or limited access to traditional training resources. Aurion High5 also allows for greater flexibility and scalability, enabling widespread distribution of life-saving knowledge and skills.
Commenting on the launch of the initiative, Ailish O’Neill, National Education and Training Manager in the HSE NOSP, said:
“We are very proud to have worked closely with Aurion Learning, on the development of Let’s Talk About Suicide. The importance of easily accessible, intuitive and responsive educational content on suicide prevention cannot be understated. We all have a role to play in preventing suicide across our communities, and this new introductory programme will undoubtedly empower many individuals and community gatekeepers, to confidently engage with someone who might be at risk of suicide. Aurion have professionally delivered a progressive and meaningful product that will make a real contribution to our collective efforts to reduce suicide in Ireland."
Echoing the sentiment, Gavin Woods, Managing Director at Aurion Learning said:
“Suicide has just a devasting and lasting impact not only on individuals but also their family, friends and wider networks. We are pleased to play a small part in supporting Connecting for Life, Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide. This is a project with real purpose and a useful online tool to help people to keep others safe from suicide by spotting the warning signs and knowing how to communicate effectively.”
He added:
“Thank you to both the HSE project team and our own healthcare learning team who worked so well together with the end goals of this project in mind. The combination of high quality video scenarios and accessible online learning will help engage as many as people as possible with these valuable messages.”
About the programme
- On average, it will take 60 minutes to complete Let’s Talk About Suicide, but participants can work at their own pace.
- It is an introductory programme that is suitable for anyone over the age of 18.
- It is recommended that anyone recently bereaved wait 12 months before engaging in this type of suicide prevention training.
- Participants do not need to complete any training before ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ in fact, it is a helpful introduction to the topic for anyone considering attending more comprehensive training programmes in the future. These might include more advanced face-to-face programmes (such as safeTALK or ASIST) available from the HSE.
- Access the programme online at www.traininghub.nosp.ie
Notes:
- Listening support is available anytime day or night, from Samaritans on Freephone 116 123.
- More information on mental health, services and supports is available at www.yourmentalhealth.ie.
- If you are a journalist or media professional covering a suicide-related issue, consider the Samaritans Ireland Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide because of the potentially damaging consequences of irresponsible reporting. In particular, the guidelines advise on terminology to use and include links to sources of support for anyone affected by the themes in any coverage.
- Let’s Talk About Suicide is provided by the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), as part of its commitments to education and training in Connecting for Life, Ireland’s National Strategy to Reduce Suicide (2015-2024). It was developed in collaboration with HSE Resource Officers for Suicide Prevention, a wide range of training partners, and lived experience representatives. It was created by Aurion Learning for the HSE.
