Empowering Conversations: Creating a Suicide Aware Community

This awareness talk offers a hopeful and engaging introduction to suicide prevention, meeting people where they are and opening up space for honest, compassionate conversation. For many, it may be the first time they’ve had the chance to explore this subject in a safe and supportive way.

For schools and educators, it provides a clear starting point for understanding suicide prevention and how it fits into everyday school life. A practical case-study workshop is included, giving schools time to reflect on their safeguarding policies and check that they are clear, supportive and ready to use if needed.

The talk uses simple interactive tools to encourage reflection, curiosity and shared learning. Guided by experienced facilitators, participants explore common myths and assumptions about suicide, think about how these can affect help-seeking, and build a more understanding, prevention-focused mindset.

We encourage thoughtful discussion whilst ensuring attendees remain emotionally safe. The talk includes clear signposting to support and introduces the idea of a Safe Plan to help manage stress, anxiety or overwhelming thoughts. It fits naturally within emotional wellbeing and RSHE curriculum, helping schools and communities grow compassionate, suicide-aware environments where reaching out, and checking in with others feels possible and supported by the whole school or organisation.

If you would like to enquire about this session for your school, please click contact us.

Contact us

Talk explores:

  • how the language we use today has been shaped by the past

  • what a Safe Plan is and how to use it in a range of scenarios to keep yourself or someone else safe from overwhelming thoughts

  • reflect on the security and effectiveness of your safeguarding policies

Delegates will:

  • leave with a better understanding and deeper compassion for the complexities of suicide.

  • understand what the difference between mental health and mental illness

  • have enjoyed informed and empathetic conversations within a safe space

  • have engaged in an important discussion that actively aims to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide

  • leave with valuable insights and an awareness of how to create an effective, Safe Plan (Safe Plans are a proven and effective way to offer support until professional help becomes available)

  • feel more confident to support themselves or someone in need without overstepping personal boundaries.

Time & place

  • Duration: 60 / 90 minute sessions available

  • Delivery: In person

  • Qualification: Certificate of Attendance

  • Age requirement: 18 years +

Cost

  • In-house training only – fee available on request

Housekeeping:

Whilst every effort will be made to discuss these topics sensitively and ethically, the subject matter could potentially cause distress. Please consider if you currently feel ready to attend this talk. By attending the event, you agree that you understand that this is a talk (not therapy) and you feel ready to learn more.

We value and appreciate our incredibly diverse audiences who always come with a range of opinions, emotions, experiences and knowledge. To ensure that our online environment remains supportive, we work hard to provide a respectful environment, sensitive to the range of views in the room.

Here at OLLIE, we understand that sometimes you may prefer to join our session anonymously and that’s fine by us. You are more than welcome to have your camera off and audio muted throughout, freeing you up to move around, eat or simply relax whilst we guide you through the session.

If you book a ticket and then are unexpectedly unable to attend this event, even at the very last minute, please do let us know before the session, either by returning to the eventbrite link in your confirmation email or by emailing contactus@theolliefoundation.org.

Please be aware, we require a minimum number of delegates for each of our online sessions in order to run these effectively, if we are unable to obtain the minimum number 24 hours prior, you may be informed of the course’s postponement and will be given the option to transfer onto the next available course.

The sessions really interesting. Being able to use their phones to respond to questions on sensitive issues enabled a more open discussion and all the facilitators were personable and knowledgeable…the sessions obviously made a positive impact and they really recognised the great work which The OLLIE Foundation does.

Attendee
The session empowered our students to understand why having clear boundaries can protect their wellbeing and still allow them to safely support their friends’ in distress. A really effective session to safeguard our students from emotional contagion.
Attendee

It’s amazing how much you can learn in an hour and it might save a precious life one day.

Redbourn Golf Club

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