FREE Suicide Bereavement Training 16/03/2026 9.30am - 1.30pm

About this event

This is a fully funded 4- hour Suicide Prevention Training session, held online. Training is delivered by Harmless – the centre of excellence for self-harm and suicide prevention – who are working in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council.

Information about this training

Suicide bereavement brings a complex grief that calls for sensitivity and compassion. This training gives you the knowledge, skills and confidence to offer respectful support, break down barriers and use helpful, appropriate language. Designed for workplaces or community settings, this course equips you to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected.

Learning outcomes

• The magnitude of suicide bereavement
• Suicide loss as a unique form of complex bereavement
• ‘Complicated grief’, trauma and other individual responses to suicide
• The wider impact of bereavement on those exposed to or affected by suicide
• The stigma and shame associated with suicide and bereavement
• Bereavement by suicide as a unique risk factor for suicide
• Responding to those bereaved by suicide and how we can help to support them
• Key UK strategic guidance and research on best practice in shaping services to incorporate suicide bereavement support
• Postvention: what it means and why it matters

Who is the course aimed at?

Although the main target audience for this training are social workers and teachers, this training is also free to frontline professional and volunteers who are delivering services or support to people of all ages in the following sectors:

• Community and voluntary sector organisations / community champions who work with those at risk of suicide and self-harm
• Children’s Social Services / Early Help Family Services
• Organisations working with those who are financially vulnerable (e.g. advice services, debt agencies, food banks, libraries)
• Adult Social Care
• Primary Care
• First Responders (e.g. police, fire service, paramedics)
• Housing / Homelessness sector
• Social Prescribers / Community Workers
• Public Health Commissioned Services
• HR Leads

Entry requirements to do this course

None - However the ZSA (Zero Suicide Alliance) 30-minute online course is recommended to be completed prior to this course, which is also available via this website.

How you will be assessed

No assessment

How to access this training

To book onto this course, click the Visit External site button towards the top right of this page; you will be redirected to a secure external booking page.

Further information

This online training is delivered via MS Teams. Once registered, you will receive an email with login details for the session. During sessions, delegates will be provided with frequent breaks to ensure that screen fatigue is kept to a minimum.

The topics covered in this training can be emotionally challenging. Delegates are encouraged to be mindful of the personal impact that this training may have and to seek reassurance, support or guidance from the Trainer if they feel distressed or affected. Delegates are encouraged to practise self-care throughout the course – taking breaks as needed and managing personal disclosure. All Trainers have direct access to a clinical team for additional support if required.

You might also like to explore this Public Health Training website for more courses and the Harmless webpage for more on other courses they offer.

Contact training@harmless.org.uk for any questions around this course.

Cancellation Policy

Please provide at least one week’s notice for any cancellations so that we can offer these limited places to those on the reserve list. Thank you.

Venue

Online