Darlington
Build Confidence. Save Lives. Make a Difference.
We are proud to deliver a comprehensive Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training programme in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, designed to help individuals, workplaces, and communities respond confidently to those in distress.
Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. By equipping more people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognise warning signs and respond appropriately, we can save lives and create safer, more supportive communities.
Sign up below for our upcoming training sessions.
Upcoming workshops
There are currently no upcoming workshops, once available they will be listed here.
Tiers of training
Tier 1
Ideal for: Anyone looking to build foundational knowledge in suicide prevention.
This introductory session helps participants recognise early warning signs that someone may be at risk—such as withdrawal, hopelessness, or increased risk-taking.
You’ll learn about the key risk and protective factors that influence mental health and wellbeing, and gain a basic understanding of how to respond to someone in crisis.
- Delivered online
- Duration: 1–2 hours
- No prior experience required
Tier 2
Ideal for: Professionals and community members who want to deepen their understanding and response skills.
This half-day, in-person workshop builds on Tier 1 content with a more detailed exploration of suicide risk and how to have supportive conversations.
Participants will be introduced to safety planning and learn how to respond effectively in crisis situations, including how to refer individuals to appropriate support services.
- Delivered in-person
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Includes practical guidance
Tier 3
This intensive two-day workshop uses the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) model to equip participants with advanced skills in suicide prevention.
You’ll learn how to assess risk, engage with individuals in crisis, and collaboratively develop a safety plan. The training includes interactive, scenario-based learning with feedback from peers and instructors.
- Delivered in-person
- Duration: 2 full days
- Highly interactive and skills-focused
Unable to attend our upcoming workshop?
We’re committed to making suicide prevention training accessible to everyone. From short awareness sessions to advanced intervention workshops, our calendar includes all upcoming bookable events.
Why This Training Matters
Across our communities, there is a growing need to strengthen our collective response to suicide and mental health crises. Access to high-quality training has been identified as a key pillar in preventing suicide, empowering people to:
- Recognise when someone may be struggling
- Respond with confidence and compassion
- Support individuals in accessing the right help
- Play an active role in protecting vulnerable people
National Context
Suicide is a significant public health concern in the United Kingdom. It is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 35, and for men under the age of 50. Despite the generally declining trend in suicide rates from 1981, since 2007 the suicide rate has increased again and the most current data shows national suicide rates as the highest since 1999.
Preventing suicide is complex and requires action across many different areas – it requires statutory and voluntary services to take action, as well as the broader community. In response to a growing call for evidence, the UK government set out the Suicide prevention in England: 5-year cross sector strategy, covering the years 2023-2028 (the National Strategy), in order to:
- Reduce the suicide rate over the next 5 years – with initial reductions observed within half of this time, or sooner
- Improve support for people who have self-harmed
- Improved support for people bereaved by suicide.
Who Is It For?
Our training is open to anyone who lives or works within Darlington, particularly those who may come into contact with vulnerable individuals, including:
- Community and voluntary sector organisations
- Workplaces and customer-facing staff
- Schools and education settings
- Community groups and local residents
No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to learn and support others.
“Every individual across the country has access to training and support that gives them the confidence and skills to save lives. Training is routinely promoted, with significant numbers of people trained in suicide prevention.”
