What is safeTALK?

SafeTALK 'suicide alertness for everyone' is a half day training programme run by the HSE, see HSE safeTALK

safeTALK is a half day training programme that prepares you to identify people with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die, but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive.
safeTALK-trained helpers can recognise these invitations and take action by connecting them with life-saving intervention resources, such as caregivers trained in ASIST.

Who should attend safeTALK?

This training is suitable for everyone who wants to help prevent suicide and is prepared to become a suicide alert helper.

How is safeTALK different from other workshops?

Training	General Awareness	Alertness skills	Intervention skills	Assessment and management skills
What is learned?	e.g. Community Gatekeeper Training Increases knowledge and awareness of issues around suicide.	e.g. safeTALK Suicide alertness training to recognise persons with suicidal thoughts and connect them with suicide first aid intervention helpers.	e.g. ASIST Suicide first aid intervention skills	e.g. STORM Assessment and management skills for working with clients at risk of self harm and suicide.
Who should attend?	For general population.	For general population.	For individuals and professionals in contact with individuals at risk of suicide	For mental health service providers.

 

What happens at safeTALK trainings?

safeTALK is a powerful experience. You can expect to feel challenged, empowered, and hopeful. Your safeTALK trainer will demonstrate the importance of suicide alertness and help you identify ways people invite help when they’re at risk.

safeTALK’s steps provide a simple yet effective method to engage with people at risk and connect them with resources that can carry out a full-scale intervention.
At the end of the training, you’ll have a chance to practice these skills firsthand. All in all, you can expect to leave safeTALK with practical knowledge of how to identify someone at risk and link them to life-saving resources.

Background information on Safe TALK

Half day programme

Learn four basic steps to recognise persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them with suicide helping resources.

Suitable for everyone who wants to help prevent suicide: front line workers, clergy, volunteers, parents, teachers, citizens …

What is safeTALK?

safeTALK is a 3.5 to 4 hour suicide alertness programme that prepares participants to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. These specific skills are called suicide alertness and are taught with the expectation that the person learning them will use them to help save lives. Expect to leave safeTALK more willing and able to perform an important helping role for persons with thoughts of suicide.

What happens at safe TALK trainings?

Expect to be challenged. Expect to have feelings. Expect to be hopeful.

See powerful reminders of why it is important to be suicide alert. Ask questions and enter discussions. Learn clear and practical information on what to do.

Practice the TALK (Tell, Ask, Listen, and Keepsafe) steps to connect a person with suicidal thoughts to suicide first-aid intervention caregivers.

Conclude with practice in activating a suicide alert.

How does safeTALK help prevent suicide?

safeTALK suicide alert helpers are trained to:

• Move beyond common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid suicide
• Identify people who have thoughts of suicide
• Apply the TALK steps to connect a person with suicidal thoughts to people and agencies that can help.