The Mental Health Partnership Network (MHPN), Sheffield Autism Partnership Network (SAPN), Sheffield City Council (SCC) and Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS) are working together to deliver a new pilot project for Suicide Prevention training and staff support.
This joint approach has allowed SCC to move funding for suicide prevention initiatives to the voluntary sector (via VAS), while the MHPN and SAPN work together to make sure that funding is meeting the needs and priorities of our VCSE partners.
After consultation with individuals and VCSE organisations, it was agreed that the biggest need for the sector was access to appropriate and in-depth training around suicide prevention, especially for current high-risk groups: children and young people (CYP), and Autistic people. We worked with individuals and organisations to develop a pilot programme whereby organisations can nominate a member of staff to attend free Suicide Prevention training and be part of an ongoing support network.
Organisations across the city will be invited to apply to be part of the pilot training cohort. Front-line staff within this cohort will be given fully-funded training on suicide prevention and awareness for both Autistic people and children and young people. By completing both training courses, they will become a Suicide Prevention Champion for their organisation, with the ability to better address suicidal thoughts, feelings and intentions with people who come to their organisation for support.
They’ll also be part of a network of people working in similar roles who have also taken these training packages, facilitated by a mental health professional, to give them space to talk about their experiences with implementing the training into their work and work through any challenges. This is particularly important to help mitigate any vicarious trauma or mental health impacts that this work has on them, to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Our intention is that this work will empower organisations to support vulnerable people who have trusted them at a time of crisis, as well as ensuring they have the tools and resources to keep their staff safe and well. By reducing the need to refer or signpost people outside of the organisation – something which our engagement highlighted was common advice in past training courses – individuals will feel heard and welcomed, and be more likely to engage with support as long as they need it. The supportive network will also protect staff from taking on more than they can handle, thus mitigating burnout and crisis within the workforce, as well.