Mental Distress and Suicide Prevention Training for People Working with Older Adults

This mental distress and suicide prevention training supports people working with older adults to recognise, assess and respond to suicide risk in older adult patients or clients.

NWMPHN is partnering with Suicide Programs to offer people working with older adults and in aged care an opportunity to undertake mental distress and suicide prevention training.

People aged 65 years and over can be more vulnerable to:

• loneliness

• social isolation

• feeling like a burden to others.

These challenges may be linked to life changes including retirement, declining health, loss of independence, bereavement, or reduced social connections. These experiences increase the risk of emotional distress and suicide. 

Working with older adults can involve frequent exposure to distress and complex emotional situations. Workers are often the first to notice when an older person is struggling yet may feel unsure about how to respond safely and confidently. This training also plays a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of people working with older adults by:

• building confidence to recognise and respond to signs of distress and suicidal thoughts

• helping staff feel prepared, supported and less alone when responding to challenging situations.

Delivered by Suicide Programs, the training titled CALM Suicide Intervention, will equip staff to:

• recognise signs that someone may be experiencing mental distress 

and thinking about suicide

• confidently start and hold supportive conversations

• help someone express their worries

• create a safety plan and explore alternatives to suicide.  

This training is a one-day workshop and will be delivered online. It is available for any staff working with older adults in the NWMPHN region. 

By registering for this session, you consent to having your registration information shared with Suicide Programs. You will receive the Zoom link from Suicide Programs after registering.

Suicide Programs is a national organisation dedicated to reducing suicide and its impact through evidence based education and training. Their programs are designed to empower individuals, communities and professionals to recognise suicide risk, engage in safe and meaningful conversations, and respond effectively to people in distress. Developed and delivered by experts in suicide prevention, mental health and counselling, Suicide Programs combines the latest research with lived experience to support compassionate, practical and person centred prevention approaches.

Learning outcomes:

• Recognise signs that someone may be experiencing mental distress 
• and thinking about suicide
• Practice starting and holding supportive conversations
• Practice asking about suicide and how to reconnect a person to themselves and their lives
• Learn to develop a safety plan and explore alternative to suicide