New Health Education England learning tool to help health professionals spot early warning signs of suicide

Suicide has a devastating impact which is why HEE has launched a new learning resource on World Mental Health Day, 10 October which aims to raise vital awareness amongst healthcare professionals and the wider public.

We need to talk about suicide aims to provide support for volunteers and health care professionals, enabling them to recognise early warning signs of suicide, support patients and their families, as well as offering additional health services in this time of need.

The e-Learning resource has been developed alongside Public Health England (PHE) and has been supported by families who have lived through suicide, as well as health care professionals who work in mental health services.

The resource is being launched in the North West of England, where suicide rates are higher than England’s average, with an even greater number being men aged between 35-64.

Laura Roberts, Health Education England Regional Director North, said:

As a committed community of health and care professionals we should all be concerned about the incidence of suicide rates being seen in some of our population groups. Being aware and recognising the potential warning signs of suicide is a key step in being able to respond, reach out and offer support to people at such a difficult time of distress.

 

“This new resource will help our healthcare workforce to consider their role and responsibilities in supporting suicide prevention, recognising early warning signs and taking action appropriately to truly make a difference when it counts.”

We need to talk about suicide is specifically available to support volunteers and health care professionals who don’t specialise in mental health care and the tool can be accessed here.