HOW TO CHOOSE SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING
Creating a positive sporting culture means making sure that everyone knows how to recognise and respond when someone may be struggling. Basic suicide awareness training should be available to all coaches, staff, volunteers and support teams, with extra training for leaders and welfare staff. Providing the right training and resources helps people to feel confident to support others and creates a safer, more supportive environment for everyone.
SOME KEY PRINCIPLES TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING TRAINING:
TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE
Training should be delivered in a safe, supportive way that recognises the impact of trauma, manages potential distress, and avoids unnecessary personal disclosure.
RECOGNISED AND CREDIBLE CONTENT
Programmes should align with externally recognised standards to ensure quality and best practice.
ACCREDITED AND EXPERIENCED TRAINERS
Trainers should have relevant expertise in mental health and suicide prevention. Where possible, expertise of working within sporting environments may make trainers more relatable to participants and improve engagement.
CLEAR LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Training providers should offer sight of curricula/lesson plans at the point of commissioning. It should be clear what topics will be covered, what participants will learn and how learning will be assessed. (“By the end of this session every learner will know…”).
EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH
Content should reflect current research and proven approaches, providing practical and effective strategies relevant to sport. Look for published evidence in the materials.
INFORMED AND CO-PRODUCED BY LIVED EXPERIENCES
Training should include and be informed by insights from people with lived experience, ensuring that it reflects real-world perspectives across sporting contexts.
FOCUS ON PRACTICAL SKILLS
Learners should gain clear, actionable skills such as – recognising warning signs, starting supportive conversations, signposting and responding appropriately and developing individual safety plans.
PARTICIPANT WELLBEING AND SUPPORT
Organisations should ensure that learners have access to support during and after training, including debriefing and self-care guidance.
INCLUSIVE AND CONTEXT-SPECIFIC
Training should reflect the diversity of sport, considering culture, neurodiversity, age, and the specific demands of different sporting environments.
ONGOING DEVELOPMENT
Organisations should provide opportunities for refresher training and continued learning, so as to maintain and strengthen skills over time. Training should be regularly reviewed, updated and evaluated.
