Tag: suicide prevention training

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Posted on by Alice Newton-Leeming

Issue 24 | July 2026

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Building Safer, More Inclusive Communities Through Suicide Prevention Training

Every July, Minority Mental Health Awareness Month shines a light on the unique mental health challenges faced by people from racial, ethnic, cultural, and other underrepresented communities. 🌍 It is an opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and take meaningful action to ensure everyone has access to understanding, support, and hope.

Mental health affects us all, but not everyone experiences the same barriers to care.

Many individuals from minority communities face additional challenges, including discrimination, cultural stigma surrounding mental health, language barriers, financial obstacles, and unequal access to healthcare services. These factors can make it harder to seek help, increasing the risk of people struggling in silence. 🤝

Suicide prevention starts with recognising that every person’s experience is different.

💡 Why Awareness Matters

Understanding the lived experiences of diverse communities helps us create environments where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Whether in workplaces, schools, healthcare settings, or community organisations, inclusive conversations about mental health can make a significant difference.

By increasing awareness, we can:

💬 Reduce stigma around mental health and suicide.

🌱 Encourage earlier conversations and help-seeking.

👀 Recognise that warning signs may present differently across cultures and communities.

🫶 Foster trust and psychological safety.

🌟 Build stronger, more compassionate communities.

🛟 The Role of Suicide Prevention Training

While we cannot remove every barrier someone may face, we can ensure that more people know how to recognise when someone may be struggling and respond with confidence and compassion.

Suicide prevention training equips participants to:


✅ Identify common warning signs and risk factors.

💬 Start supportive conversations with empathy.

👂 Listen without judgement.

📍 Encourage individuals towards appropriate professional support.

🌍 Understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusive communication.

These skills help create environments where people feel safer reaching out before they reach crisis point.

🌈 Creating Inclusive Support

Effective suicide prevention is not one-size-fits-all. Being culturally aware means recognising that beliefs about mental health, emotional expression, family dynamics, and seeking support can vary widely between communities.

Taking time to understand these differences helps us provide support that is respectful, compassionate, and more likely to be effective.

Small actions—listening openly, avoiding assumptions, and creating space for honest conversations—can have a lasting impact. 💚

✨ This Month’s Challenge

As we recognise Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, consider one action you can take:

📚 Learn about the mental health experiences of communities different from your own.

🪞 Reflect on how inclusive your workplace or organisation is.

📢 Share trusted mental health resources.

🎓 Continue developing your confidence through suicide prevention training.

💚 Start a conversation that could help someone feel less alone.

Together, we can create communities where every person—regardless of their background or identity—feels valued, supported, and able to access help when they need it most.

Thank you for being part of a growing movement committed to compassion, inclusion, and suicide prevention.

Every conversation matters, every person matters, and every step towards greater understanding helps build a safer future for us all. 🌍💚

To find out how to train with us, head to our website:

Visit our website

With warm wishes,

Alice and the Mental Health Learning Team 🧠

Men’s Mental Health Month June 2026

Posted on by Alice Newton-Leeming

Issue 23 | June 2026

Men’s Mental Health Month & PTSD Awareness Month

June is a significant month for mental health awareness.

As both Men’s Mental Health Month and PTSD Awareness Month, it provides an opportunity to deepen our understanding of populations that often face unique barriers to seeking support, while reinforcing the critical role mental health professionals play in prevention, intervention, and recovery.

Whether you’re working in suicide prevention, counseling, healthcare, education, crisis response, or community outreach, your work helps create pathways to hope and healing for individuals who may otherwise suffer in silence.

💙 Men’s Mental Health Month: Breaking the Silence

Men continue to experience disproportionately high rates of suicide while often being less likely to access mental health services.

Cultural expectations surrounding masculinity, stigma, social isolation, and reluctance to seek help can contribute to delayed intervention and increased risk.

As professionals it is crucial to be aware that:

✅ Men may present distress differently, including through irritability, anger, substance use, risk-taking behaviors, or withdrawal rather than openly discussing sadness or hopelessness.

✅ Many men report feeling pressure to appear self-reliant, making it more difficult to disclose emotional struggles.

✅ Building trust, normalizing help-seeking, and using strengths-based approaches can increase engagement and retention in care.

✅ Community-based outreach, peer support initiatives, and workplace mental health programs remain valuable avenues for reaching underserved populations.

🚨 Suicide Prevention and Men’s Mental Health

Suicide prevention efforts must continue to prioritize early identification, meaningful connection, and accessible support services. Small interventions—asking direct questions about suicide risk, validating experiences, and facilitating access to care—can have life-saving impacts.

As professionals, we have an opportunity to challenge harmful stereotypes and create environments where men feel safe discussing mental health concerns without judgment.

💭 Reflection Question: How can your organization better engage men who may be hesitant to seek support?

🎗️ PTSD Awareness Month: Recognizing Trauma and Promoting Recovery

June is also PTSD Awareness Month, dedicated to increasing understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and supporting those affected by trauma.

PTSD can develop following exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, violence, disasters, military combat, accidents, abuse, or other traumatic experiences. While public awareness has increased, many individuals continue to face barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

🔗 Trauma and Suicide Risk

Research consistently demonstrates a relationship between trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and elevated suicide risk. Individuals experiencing PTSD may struggle with:

⚡ Persistent hypervigilance and anxiety

💭 Intrusive memories or flashbacks

🌙 Sleep disturbances and nightmares

🫥 Emotional numbing

⚖️ Feelings of shame, guilt, or hopelessness

🔄 Co-occurring depression or substance use concerns


For many individuals, untreated trauma can significantly impact relationships, employment, physical health, and overall quality of life.

🛠️ What Professionals Can Do

✅ Incorporate trauma-informed principles into all aspects of care.

✅ Routinely assess for trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms.

✅ Screen for suicide risk when working with trauma-affected populations.

✅ Promote evidence-based treatments and recovery-oriented approaches.

✅ Support resilience by helping clients strengthen protective factors and social connections.

Recovery from trauma is possible, and compassionate, evidence-based care can make a profound difference in long-term outcomes.

🌟 Investing in Knowledge, Strengthening Impact

As we recognize 💙 Men’s Mental Health Month and 🎗️ PTSD Awareness Month, we’re reminded that ongoing education is essential to effective suicide prevention and mental health care.

At Mental Health Learning, we’re committed to helping professionals build the knowledge and skills needed to support those facing mental health challenges through evidence-based training in suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, PTSD, and more.

Thank you for your dedication to this important work. Together, through continued learning and professional growth, we can create stronger systems of support and better outcomes for the individuals and communities we serve.

To find out how we can help you, head to our website:

Visit the website

With warm wishes,

Alice and the Mental Health Learning Team 🧠

Time to Talk Day

Posted on by Alice Newton-Leeming

Issue 18 | February 2026

Time to Talk Day is the UK’s biggest mental health conversation — a day for friends, families, colleagues and communities to come together to talk, listen and change lives by breaking down stigma around mental health. It’s run by Mind and partner organisations, with the aim of making it easier to start honest, supportive conversations that can make a real difference.

💬 Why Talking Matters

Talking openly about mental health can:

Reduce stigma and silence, encouraging people to open up.

Help someone feel less alone and more understood.

Be a first step towards getting support or help when it’s needed.

🧠 Practical Ways to Support Someone You Care About

✔️ Be There and Show You Care

Ask how they are — even if they don’t want to talk at that moment. Spend time together, showing through actions that you’re present and supportive. 

✔️ Ask How You Can Help

Different people need different kinds of support — some may want company, help with appointments, or encouragement in everyday routines like sleep and exercise. 

✔️ Listen Without Judgement

Avoid phrases that minimise their experience (e.g., “just cheer up”). Stay open-minded and let them talk in their own way. 

✔️ Don’t Define Them by Their Struggles

A mental health problem is just one part of someone’s life. Keep conversations balanced by talking about shared interests and normal life topics too. 

✔️ Foster Trust and Respect

A supportive, respectful relationship can help rebuild confidence and self-esteem. 

✔️ Look After Yourself Too

Supporting someone else can be emotionally demanding. Set boundaries and share caring responsibilities. Make space for your own wellbeing and support network.

🛠️ Tips for Having the Conversation

Find a comfortable setting and time — sometimes side-by-side conversations (e.g., walking or over tea) feel easier. 

Ask open, non-judgemental questions like “what’s that been like for you?” 

Be honest and clear about your care and concern. 

Offer practical help but let them guide what they need.

mind.org.uk

Time to Talk Day is one day a year — but the impact spreads when we make supportive conversations part of everyday life. 

Regular check-ins and openness can help people feel comfortable seeking the support they need, helping break stigma and build stronger, more compassionate relationships all year round.


With warm wishes,

Alice and the Mental Health Learning Team 🧠

Stress Awareness Month

Posted on by Alice Newton-Leeming

Issue 21 | April 2026

Stress Awareness Month

April marks Stress Awareness Month 2026, a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness of the causes and impacts of stress, while promoting practical ways to manage it and support one another.

For those of us working in suicide prevention and mental health training, this month is especially important. Stress is often a key contributing factor to declining mental wellbeing—and, if left unaddressed, can increase the risk of crisis.

🚨 Why Stress Awareness Matters

Stress Awareness Month has been observed every April since 1992, with the aim of encouraging open conversations, reducing stigma, and helping individuals and organisations build healthier, more resilient environments.

This year’s theme, 

#BeTheChange

focuses on turning awareness into action—recognising that small, intentional steps can positively influence our own wellbeing and that of those around us.

For those trained in suicide prevention, this message aligns closely with what we already know: 

• Early conversations save lives 

• Small actions can make a big difference 

• Connection is one of the strongest protective factors

⚠️ Stress and Suicide Prevention: The Connection

In high-risk sectors and communities, unmanaged stress can escalate quickly. It can contribute to feelings of isolation, overwhelm, and hopelessness—factors often present in those experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Our focus at Mental Health Learning is to highlight the importance of equipping people with the skills and confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling, and to act before a crisis develops.

As someone engaged in suicide prevention training, you play a vital role in:

Helping to normalise discussions about mental health

Spotting early warning signs

Starting supportive conversations

Signposting to appropriate help

From Awareness to Action: What You Can Do

This month is not just about recognising stress — it’s about doing something about it.

1. Start a conversation Check in with a colleague, friend, or family member. A simple “How are you really doing?” can open the door to meaningful support. 
2. Share your knowledge Use your training to guide others—whether that’s recognising signs of stress or knowing how to respond. 
3. Promote supportive environments Encourage your workplace or community to create a culture where people feel safe to speak up. 
4. Take care of yourself Self-care isn’t optional—it’s essential. Regular breaks, movement, and connection all play a role in reducing stress and building resilience. Even short periods of physical activity can improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Whether it’s reaching out, listening without judgement, or encouraging someone to seek support, your actions matter. As the theme suggests, change doesn’t require grand gestures—just consistent, compassionate ones.

ASIST: Enhance Your Suicide Prevention Skills

To further your ability to respond to individuals in crisis, we recommend the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) course. 

ASIST is one of the most effective and widely recognised suicide prevention training courses available. It equips you with the tools and techniques to confidently intervene when someone may be at risk of suicide. Through this interactive course, you’ll learn how to: 

• Recognise the signs of someone in crisis

• Engage in conversations that could save lives 

• Offer support and connect people to the appropriate resources 

This course is available through Mental Health Learning and is suitable for anyone involved in supporting others, from colleagues to community members.

Find out more

Stress Awareness Month is a reminder that while stress is a normal part of life, suffering in silence doesn’t have to be. By combining awareness with action, and training with compassion, we can all play a part in preventing crisis and saving lives.

Thank you for the work you do—and for continuing to be part of a community that cares.

With warm wishes,

Alice and the Mental Health Learning Team 🧠

Safeguarding & Suicide Prevention in Schools – What’s Changing in KCSIE 2026

Posted on by Alice Newton-Leeming

Issue 19 | March 2026

Safeguarding & Suicide Prevention in Schools – What’s Changing in KCSIE 2026

The Department for Education has launched a consultation on proposed revisions to the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), due to be updated for September 2026.

KCSIE is the cornerstone of safeguarding in schools and colleges, setting out legal duties and good practice for protecting children and young people. These revisions aim to keep the guidance up to date with emerging risks and strengthen expectations around safeguarding systems and staff capability.

🔍 Key Updates with Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Relevance

While the public consultation document doesn’t single out suicide prevention as a distinct requirement, its emphasis on wellbeing, early help and comprehensive safeguarding training creates a strong foundation for embedding suicide prevention awareness into wider staff development:

Child-centred safeguarding is central – staff must recognise early signs of risk, changes in behaviour, mental health concerns and act promptly.

Staff training and refreshers are highlighted as a core duty – creating an opportunity to include targeted suicide prevention training alongside other safeguarding training.

Strengthened mental health-related content in safeguarding guidance provides a pathway to equip staff with confidence and skills to support students and signpost help early.

gov.uk – keeping children safe in education

📣 Why This Matters

Suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people. Embedding high-quality suicide prevention and mental health training within statutory safeguarding frameworks helps ensure:


School staff are confident recognising and responding sensitively to mental health distress.

Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and pastoral teams integrate suicide prevention into early help and safeguarding practices.

Schools and colleges build safer, supportive environments that reduce stigma and connect young people to help.

📅 Next Steps

The consultation runs until 22 April 2026 — safeguarding professionals, leaders, and training providers are encouraged to respond and reinforce the importance of robust suicide prevention training as part of broader safeguarding duties.

Together we can ensure our schools not only comply with statutory guidance but truly support the wellbeing of every young person.

Mental Health Learning

At Mental Heath Learning we recognise the importance of equipping those who work with children in our education system with the right skills and the confidence to be able to support children and young people.

ASIST is developed by the World Leaders of suicide prevention training – LivingWorks Education. It is the best suicide intervention skills training you can attend.

ASIST is a suicide intervention training course that not only teaches the theory and practice of being suicide alert and how to conduct a full suicide intervention with follow-up. But provides multiple opportunities for participants to put learning into practice. This is an active learning experience which sets ASIST aside from other shorter theory based courses.

If you, your workplace or your community could benefit from this additional training in light of the consultation, please contact us to find out how we can help.

With warm wishes,

Alice and the Mental Health Learning Team 🧠

On October 10th, it is World Mental Health Day, and the theme this year is;

Posted on by Alice Newton-Leeming

“It is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace”.

We don’t usually mark specific days to raise awareness, as we work to do this every day, but the theme of this year rings true with our goals, and we wanted to use this opportunity to speak about why it is so important to prioritise mental health in the workplace. 

According to a recent report from Deloitte on mental health and employment, 59% of people who left their job or are planning to leave their job said it was ‘somewhat, largely or entirely due to personal mental health and well-being related issues’. 

The report states that the cost of sickness absence has increased by 20% in the last year to £7billion and presenteeism costing £24billion. 

It also found that 63% of respondents had experienced at least one characteristic of burnout, which it defines as ‘feeling of exhaustion, mental distance from their job, or decline in performance at work.’ 

This report makes a clear case that mental health is having a profound and detrimental impact on the workplace. These statistics show that it is not just employers that are suffering losses, but that employees are losing out on their ability and motivation to find and keep work due to their mental health struggles. 

It is abundantly clear how important and necessary it is for employers to invest in supporting workers and creating a mentally healthy workplace, and we strongly believe that training is an effective way for employers to begin to make impactful change. 

In 2023, we delivered courses to around 1,000 participants seeking to increase their awareness of mental health and suicide prevention, and this year has been equally busy.  We are seeing first hand that employers are investing more to make positive change for their workforce and we hope that this year’s WMHD theme helps to inspire more to do the same.

Our Courses

We offer a range of courses that can be beneficial to employers, and can also create bespoke courses that are tailored to your company. We know it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start, so we have some great courses to get you going on the path to creating a mentally healthy workplace.

This course teaches a greater understanding of mental health. You will gain knowledge of what it means to have good or poor mental health, increased alertness to the signs of mental ill health in the workplace, and an increased confidence to address them and put support in place.

In this training you will learn why we need to be alert to suicide. Understand what to look out for among employees, how to ask about suicide, and learn about the legal obligations as an employer. 

We offer a range of courses to suit your needs, whether you are an organisation seeking support, or an individual seeking a more in-depth knowledge, our courses are for everyone. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our Training Guide, please contact us as we are always happy to create bespoke courses tailored to you.

It’s always the ones you don’t hear about, never the ones you do. Or is it?

Posted on by Alice Newton-Leeming

Actually, not always.

Yes we must acknowledge there are suicides that appear to happen ‘out of the blue’, with seemingly no verbal indicators or behavioural changes noticed by others.

But, there are also, individuals who die by suicide, having attempted to end their life multiple times before.

It is these individuals, that are too often not taken seriously. Labelled as ‘attention seekers’, ‘time wasters’.

Prior suicide behaviour, is one of the biggest predictors of future suicide attempts and death by suicide.

Individuals with thoughts of suicide, are stuck in between feelings of wanting to live and wanting to die. They can be pulled back and forth between the reasons for deciding on either of these options, and therefore there are different reasons behind the intended outcome of suicide behaviour.

Example 1. An individual has tried to verbalise their suicidal thoughts several times but they have been ignored, dismissed, or deliberately avoided by others.

This individual now feels they have to act on their thoughts of suicide because they feel they have to show those around them just how serious they are about suicide, in order to get the help they need. But if their actions too are not taken seriously, it could end in death.

All individuals with suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours must be taken seriously.

Example 2. An individual’s thoughts have progressed to suicide planning. They attempt to end their live, but survive this attempt with the help of their Support Worker*. When thoughts of suicide overwhelm them again, and they take steps to end their life, they contact the same person/service, because that person/service helped them stay alive last time.

*or Teacher, Social Worker, neighbour, friend, Police Officer, Residential Care Worker etc

It makes sense doesn’t it? When an individual, torn between wanting to live and wanting to die is helped to stay alive, by a person (or service), it’s only natural they would go back to the same person again because they helped them! It means that person did something right. So when a person with thoughts of suicide, comes to you for the 2nd time or the 77th time, we need to respond with respect and compassion.

All individuals with suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours must be taken seriously.

When individuals with thoughts of suicide aren’t taken seriously, when they are ignored, dismissed or avoided, sadly it can, and does end in suicide.

We need to change the narrative.

All individuals with suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours must be taken seriously.

What does your experience tell you?

What are the messages around suicide behaviour within your workplace?

Do you receive clinical supervision or reflective practice to support you when working with individuals with thoughts of suicide?