Most people who think about suicide are struggling with pain. Although they don’t really want to die, the problem is that they cannot directly express what they feel. The only way they ask others to help them stay alive is through their actions and words. This is where SafeTALK comes in.

What Is SafeTALK?

SafeTALK is a half-day workshop that aims to prepare people to become suicide-alert helpers. It teaches individuals how to take action by connecting victims with life-saving mental health support, such as suicide prevention hotlines and groups dedicated to suicide prevention in Australia.

Since it started in 2006, SafeTALK has been held in more than 20 countries all over the world, including the United States, Australia, Norway, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. More than 200 video materials have also been produced to suit the program’s audio-visual requirements.

At the end of the workshop, the attendees are expected to learn the following:

• Notice and quickly respond to situations where possible thoughts of suicide are present;
• Move beyond common tendencies to dismiss any conversations around suicide;
• Offer practical help by using the TALK method (Tell, Ask Listen, Keep safe);
• Act quickly to connect victims with somebody trained in suicide intervention;
• Contribute and help build a safer community.

Who Can Attend?

Everyone is encouraged to attend. This workshop is meant for anyone who wants to help prevent suicide and contribute to a safer community.

It is worth noting that this workshop is not a support group or a therapy session. It focuses entirely on skill development. So, if you are feeling distressed or you are bereaved by suicide, it is best that you delay joining these activities until you have completely recovered.

How Is This Program Different from the Rest?

SafeTALK teaches interested individuals to identify people who are at risk. It follows a highly-structured learning process designed to help a person identify the effect of false societal beliefs that can cause helpful people to miss, avoid, or dismiss signs.

The program may showcase video scenarios that have been carefully and strategically selected to provide realistic and experiential reference for the participants.

The flow of the workshop follows these steps:

• General Awareness
• Alertness Skills
• Intervention Skills
• Assessment and Management Skills

Workshop Details

SafeTALK – Suicide Alertness for Everyone is scheduled on January 27, 2020 at 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. It will be held in the Austral Bowling Club, Edmondson Ave, Austral, NSW.

Find out more about the SAFETALK – Suicide Alertness for Everyone here. You can also call 02 4645 7200 or email training@lifelinemacarthur.org.au. This initiative is proudly supported by South Western Sydney PHN.