Increasingly first responders are dealing with call outs where they are having to support people in mental distress and expressing suicidal behaviour.
It’s a situation that requires a special skill set beyond what these women and men might be equipped with.
A partnership between Fortem Australia and LivingWorks is offering first responders and their family members free, face to face suicide first aid training in order to upskill their professional and personal tool kit.
“Fortem Australia is working with first responders and their families every day. These are skills and training we are being asked to deliver,” says Fortem Managing Director, John Bale.
“Supporting someone in mental distress can be overwhelming to think about, this training will give first responders and their family members the knowledge they need to respond effectively in that situation and ‘be the one’ that makes a difference.”
LivingWorks, is one of the world’s leading suicide prevention providers, and has trained over 200,000 Australians.
This funded suicide first aid training is available over a half day or two day workshop, and promises to add depth and resilience to the communities taking part.
“We’re proud to partner with Fortem to offer this suicide first aid training to the first responder community. Not only could it help them save lives in the work they do but it could also save the life of one of their mates or loved ones,” says Shayne Connell, Chief Executive Office of Living Works.
“Post training, 95% of people report feeling more confident in asking about suicide and supporting someone to get the help they need.”
This training is would normally cost $585. Spaces are limited so first responders and their family members are asked to register without delay.
“Family members of first responders are especially encouraged to take part,” Mr Bale says.
“They are often the first to identify signs of mental health difficulties within their loved ones and communities and are in a unique position to intervene earlier than most if a first responder is at increased risk of suicide.”
We know that suicidal thinking is higher within the first responder community than the general public; these men and women who answer our calls for help are more than twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts and to experience high psychological distress.
On top of that the families of first responders risk developing secondary traumatic stress from vicarious exposure to trauma through their loved ones.
“The ripple effects of suicide in a community run wide and deep – this training adds a layer of support within workplace and social networks that could potentially spare people from pain and trauma,” Mr Connell says.
Participants in the face to face training will also be able pay the opportunity forward and will receive access for a friend or family member to the ‘LivingWorks Start’ online program.
Spaces are limited so first responders and their family members are asked to register without delay:
Canberra and surrounds
Date and time: Wednesday, 4th & Thursday, 5th August 2021, 8:30am to 5:00pm
Place: Eastlakes Football Club, 3 Oxley St, Griffith, ACT 2603
The ASIST two day workshop, offers deeper suicide intervention skills training; hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved around the world.
Register now via Trybooking
Tumut and surrounds
Date and time: Thursday, 12th August 2021, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Place: TBC, Tumut, NSW
The half-day SafeTalk workshop will allow you to become a suicide-alert helper.
Register now via TryBooking
Albury and surrounds
Date and time: Friday, 13th August 2021, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Place: TBC, Albury, NSW
The half-day SafeTalk workshop will allow you to become a suicide-alert helper.
Register now via TryBooking
South East Queensland
Date and time: Wednesday, 18th & Thursday, 19th August 2021. 8:30am to 5:00pm
Place: TBC, Gold Coast, QLD
The ASIST two day workshop, offers deeper suicide intervention skills training; hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved around the world.
Register now via TryBooking
Canberra and surrounds
Date and time: TBC
UPDATE: Please note, this training session has been postponed. The new dates are still TBC. You can still register your interest in attending and be notified when the dates are confirmed, by clicking the link below ‘Register Now’ and then ‘Contact the Organiser’.
Place: Eastlakes Football Club, 3 Oxley St, Griffith, ACT 2603
The half-day SafeTalk workshop will allow you to become a suicide-alert helper.
Register now via TryBooking
Newcastle and surrounds
Date and time: TBC
UPDATE: Please note, this training session has been postponed. The new dates are still TBC. You can still register your interest in attending and be notified when the dates are confirmed, by clicking the link below ‘Register Now’ and then ‘Contact the Organiser’.
Place: Noah’s on the Beach, 9 Zaara St, Newcastle East NSW 2300
The ASIST two day workshop, offers deeper suicide intervention skills training; hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved around the world.
Register now via TryBooking
South East Queensland
Date and time: Thursday, 2nd September 2021, 8:30am to 1:00pm
Place: TBC, Gold Coast, QLD
The half-day SafeTalk workshop will allow you to become a suicide-alert helper.
Register now via TryBooking
Coffs Harbour and surrounds
Date and time: TBC
Place: TBC, Coffs Harbour, NSW
UPDATE: Please note, this training session has been postponed. The new dates are still TBC. You can still register your interest in attending and be notified when the dates are confirmed, by clicking the link below ‘Register Now’ and then ‘Contact the Organiser’.
The ASIST two day workshop, offers deeper suicide intervention skills training; hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved around the world.
Register now via TryBooking
Warragul and Gippsland region
Date and time: TBC
UPDATE: Please note, this training session has been postponed. The new dates are still TBC. You can still register your interest in attending and be notified when the dates are confirmed, by clicking the link below ‘Register Now’ and then ‘Contact the Organiser’.
Place: Warragul RSL, 94 Albert Street, Warragul, VIC 3820
The ASIST two day workshop, offers deeper suicide intervention skills training; hundreds of thousands of lives have been saved around the world.
Register now via TryBooking
Bairnsdale and Gippsland region
Date and time: TBC
UPDATE: Please note, this training session has been postponed. The new dates are still TBC. You can still register your interest in attending and be notified when the dates are confirmed, by clicking the link below ‘Register Now’ and then ‘Contact the Organiser’.
Place: Bairnsdale RSL, 2 Forge Creek Road, Bairnsdale, VIC 3875
The half-day SafeTalk workshop will allow you to become a suicide-alert helper.
Register now via TryBooking
For more information about the Fortem Australia – LivingWorks Suicide First Aid Training call 1300 33 95 94.
Fortem Australia is a charity that supports the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families – people who protect and care for our community.
LivingWorks is a world leader in suicide prevention training. Their training programs prepare individuals, organisations, and communities to make a difference.
Fortem activities, events and community engagements are designed to support the mental fitness of our first responder families. Read more about Our Approach.
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