We understand how challenging it can feel for professionals who support people experiencing deep emotional distress. Conversations about suicide and self-harm can feel difficult to navigate.
Grounded in trauma-informed practice, the session supports participants to:
Explore why people may use self-harm as a coping strategy
Recognise the importance of relationships, connection and emotional safety
Learn the fundamental basics of responding in a calm, compassionate and non-judgemental way
Understand how to think about keeping safe, formulation and support planning in practice
This practical training explores ways to help people experiencing self-harm or suicidal thoughts in a way that is trauma-informed, relational and rooted in compassion. The session helps participants build their understanding of distress, risk, safety, and the wider context around a person’s experiences.
Drawing on lived experience, psychological theory and evidence-based, this training aims to help participants:
We explore the relationship between trauma, distress, self-harm and suicide risk, helping participants build a deeper understanding of why someone may be struggling and what may sit beneath visible signs of risk.
The training helps participants feel more equipped to respond compassionately in the moment, think about safety in a wider context, and support people to access further help where needed.
We look at how relationships, trust and emotional safety can make it easier for people to talk openly, and how professionals can create spaces where someone feels listened to rather than judged or dismissed.
Our Clinical Psychologist, Kiran explains the importance of safe, secure relationships and connections
“It’s about the power of relationships and being with someone when they are feeling really distressed. Its not about a response, its about the feeling that person gets from you, when you really understand how they are feeling. Sometimes we can feel compelled to fix things or problem solve which isn’t what they need or want in that moment. What they really need and want is for you to understand their emotions”
This training is particularly helpful for professionals who may work with people experiencing emotional distress, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts, including:
The training can be delivered across the UK and can be adapted as bespoke training to reflect your organisation’s training needs.
Gained a deeper understanding, especially around the use of language. This would be really beneficial for our frontline workers, increasing their awareness and hopefully this help reduce feelings of stigma around mental health issues related to self-harm and suicide, fostering a more open conversation.
Thank you so much for some really thought provoking training. It's a heavy topic and felt like it was delivered in a way that was really thoughtful and well paced.
Even though the content was heavy, the discussions are so important. Thanks for creating that safe space for everyone! And thank you to Tia for sharing her powerful story and helping those in wellbeing be reassured in their role so we can help those who need it most.
This has been one of the best courses i have been on. The trainers and lived experience were both amazing and i have taken so much from this training and it has left me feeling more confident when spending time with people who are in distress.
We are part of Platfform, a mental health and social change charity. Our approach is trauma-informed and relational. Rather than viewing mental health through a medicalised lens that focuses on individual problems or “disorders,” we look at the wider context — people’s experiences, environments, and circumstances.
We don’t ask, “What’s wrong with you?” but rather, “What’s happened to you?”
We’ve got over 35 years experience working in mental health across crisis prevention and home; employment, volunteering and skills development; children, young people and families; and wellbeing.
Suicide in the UK is a significant public health issue. Suicide awareness training helps staff recognise warning signs, understand suicide and self-harm, and build the skills and confidence to respond in a supportive and compassionate way.
Rather than focusing on clinical responses, the training centres on relationships, listening and human connection.
Participants explore:
The aim is to help people feel more comfortable having conversations that may feel difficult, and to feel more confident when they support someone who may be struggling.
It’s suitable for professionals working in roles where they may support children, young people, or adults experiencing distress, including education, care, housing, health, safeguarding and community settings.
Yes. The session includes practical guidance on how to ask about self-harm and suicide, how to respond without judgement, what to explore when thinking about safety, and how to build a more compassionate understanding of what someone may be experiencing.
Yes. The training is rooted in trauma-informed, compassionate practice. It encourages staff to understand distress in context, think about relationships and emotional safety,
Yes. The core themes remain the same, but the session can be shaped around your setting, team roles, and the kinds of situations your staff are most likely to face.
The session can be delivered online or in person. For remote or hybrid teams, online delivery can be a helpful way to bring people together from different locations. We still build in opportunities for reflection, small-group conversations and questions, so that staff feel able to share their experiences and learn from one another.
Get in touch and start a conversation with us