People who work or volunteer in public sector frontline roles in Hertfordshire are being encouraged to attend free suicide prevention training, delivered by Samaritans.

The training, funded by Hertfordshire County Council, aims to equip those who work or volunteer in frontline services in Hertfordshire, with the skills and confidence to effectively spot and support someone at risk of suicide.

Hertfordshire County Council is committed to make Hertfordshire a safer place, where people working and volunteering in frontline services have the knowledge and confidence to respond appropriately to anyone in crisis.

Hertfordshire County Council’s director of Public Health, Jim McManus, said: “Hertfordshire’s suicide prevention network is committed to making Hertfordshire a place where no-one ever gets to a point where they feel suicide is their only option."

“We have invested in this training for our frontline staff and community and voluntary groups to help them feel more confident discussing the issue of suicide and supporting those who may feel suicidal."

“We’re delighted that Samaritans will be delivering the training. We have already trained nearly 2000 people in the last 18 months and look forward to many more taking up the offer over the next two years."

“This is just part of our work to deliver a suicide prevention strategy and bereavement support in Hertfordshire, so that we can help our residents to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.”

Samaritans is a UK charity that provides emotional support 24 hours a day for anyone struggling to cope. Last year its 22,000 volunteers spent over one million hours responding to calls for help. Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis, but to prevent crisis too, by giving people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others.

Its suicide prevention courses give people working in a range of roles the skills to respond to emotionally challenging situations with confidence. In an average year, Samaritans’ suicide prevention training courses fund around 55,000 calls for help to the charity.

Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans says: “Public sector frontline personnel and volunteers in Hertfordshire can come into contact with many people in their roles. It’s vital that they have the tools and confidence to respond to a range of situations.

Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide. We are delighted that Hertford County Council is investing in Samaritans’ suicide prevention training for Hertfordshire’s public sector frontline staff and volunteers, to equip them with the skills and confidence to support someone in crisis”

Please note: Frontline staff and volunteers must have previously completed a basic suicide awareness course, such as Suicide Awareness Training provided by Zero Suicide Alliance, or equivalent, in order to attend the Samaritans course.

To sign up for suicide prevention training from Samaritans please complete the online booking form via the following Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/hertfordshire-county-council-207849