Innovative collaboration delivers suicide prevention training to over 800 Primary Care staff
On the afternoon of July 10, over 800 staff members from GP surgeries across the county attended a Suicide Prevention and Awareness training session during their protected learning time (PLT).
One of the key commitments in the NHS Long Term Plan is to improve suicide prevention. The Northamptonshire Suicide Strategy was launched in 2022, and a refreshed strategy and action plan was published in April 2024. Part of the strategy includes training and education, and last week’s session was the largest cohort yet to undertake this training.
The aim of the training is to make Suicide Prevention everyone’s business, to identify signs and symptoms, to educate around personal safety planning, to inform around safer prescribing and to offer general education about resources and signposting for those in need of support. A kind word or action at a vulnerable moment can save a life.
The training session was open to all Primary Care staff from clinicians to receptionists, administrators and managers. Every member of our Primary Healthcare team is likely to encounter people experiencing suicidal thoughts at some stage, either directly or indirectly, throughout their career and sadly, suicide may also affect any one of us in our own personal lives.
This training will help those in Primary care to grow in the knowledge and confidence of suicide awareness and to be compassionate Primary Healthcare teams, looking after ourselves, each other, and our patients.
The training collaboration was between staff from Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), Primary Care and Public Health. It was led and facilitated by Dr Catherine Massey and included co-produced sections from Lisa Pearson, NHFT Suicide Prevention Lead, Andy Willis, an NHFT expert-by-experience lead, Dr Sohrab Pandey, Clinical Lead in Suicide Prevention for Primary Care in Derbyshire and staff from NHFT’s Mental Health and Talking Therapies teams.
Feedback from those who participated in the training were exceptionally complimentary about it, some of the quotes include:
“This is the best training I have ever been on regarding suicide prevention. So much great knowledge, statistics, and information. But more so, practical and specific support than will really help people.”
“Real life experience. Knowledgeable speakers. Delivered by colleagues who get the issues we face. Demonstration of safety plan. Thank you.”
Suicide Prevention and awareness training has also been delivered to 999 control centre staff, Northampton Town Football Club first and reserve teams, the Hope centre and many other local businesses and organisations.
If you are interested in mental health and suicide prevention training, both North and West Northamptonshire councils have more information on how to access training and support on their respective websites, along with the Northamptosnhire Suicide Prevention Strategy:
West Northants Council: Mental health and wellbeing | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
North Northants council: Mental health and wellbeing | North Northamptonshire Council (northnorthants.gov.uk)
You can also access a range of mental health support and advice from NHFT by visiting Adult mental health, learning disabilities and speciality services | NHFT