It’s a sad fact that increasingly first responders across the country are dealing with call outs where they are having to support people in mental distress and expressing suicidal behaviour. In addition, there is evidence that suggests that men and women who answer our calls for help are more than twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts and to experience high psychological distress than the general population.
A partnership between Fortem Australia and LivingWorks is now offering first responders and their family members free, face to face suicide first aid training in order to upskill their professional and personal tool kit.
Fortem Managing Director, John Bale, explained that “Supporting someone in mental distress can be overwhelming to think about, this training will give first responders and their family members the knowledge they need to respond effectively in that situation and ‘be the one’ that makes a difference.”
Shayne Connell, Chief Executive Office of Living Works, said that after training, 95 per cent of participants report feeling more confident in asking about suicide and supporting someone to get the help they need.”
The training would normally cost $585. Spaces are limited so first responders and their family members are asked to register without delay:
Date: Friday, 27th August 2021,
Time: 8:30am to 1:00pm
Location: Eastlakes Football Club, 3 Oxley St, Griffith, ACT 2603
The half-day SafeTalk workshop will allow you to become a suicide-alert helper. Register now via TryBooking
For more information about the Fortem Australia – LivingWorks Suicide First Aid Training call 1300 33 95 94.
Fortem Australia is a charity that supports the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their families - people who protect and care for our community.
LivingWorks is a world leader in suicide prevention training. Their training programs prepare individuals, organisations, and communities to make a difference.
