LivingWorks & First Responders

Why LivingWorks Leads Suicide Prevention for First Responders

The statistics are well-known: Police, paramedics and firefighters are at a higher risk of dying by suicide than the average citizen. LivingWorks suicide prevention training adds a layer of support within workplace and social networks that can help first responders with practice and appropriate action plans to help keep their peers and the community safer from suicide.

Keep Communities Safe: Communities are safer when suicide prevention and intervention are as natural for first responders and other community members as doing CPR and providing basic first aid.
Keep Each Other Safe: In addition to helping keep communities safe, training first responders in suicide prevention allows officers to help keep each other safe.
Critical Skills: Individuals may have difficulty in sharing that they need support and help. First Responders who have LivingWorks training can recognise when people are having thoughts of suicide, speaking openly and directly about suicide, and create safe-for-now plan to help them get the support necessary.

LivingWorks & First Responders Around the World

Global

United States

Australia

“Sometimes when you’re struggling you don’t see the signs in yourself, but the person you’re on a 12-hour shift with could. In fact it is the people around us – our mates, buddies, colleagues – who are more likely to first recognise when someone starts to struggle. And we need to have the skills and confidence to start that conversation.”

Belinda | LivingWorks Trainer and former first responder

Case Study

38%

90%

Before Training

After Training

LivingWorks Results for First Responders

Increased readiness to help:
Before training 33% of police officers said they felt ready to prevent a suicide; after training that number increased to 97%.

Better mental health:
After training, one California Fire Department reduced mental health related workers’ compensation claims from $750,000 to $0 over five years.

Skills for the community:
While officers undoubtably use their skills to support each other, with training they now will help deescalate situations and help save lives in the community.

Training for First Responders

LivingWorks offers both online and in-person training options to help build your team’s skills in suicide prevention and intervention. Browse our training options below.

LivingWorks Start

A 90 minute, online training that helps learners develop foundational skills to recognise when someone may be thinking of suicide and connect them to further help.

NOW AVAILABLE

en français and en español!

LivingWorks safeTALK

Learn to talk openly about suicide, reach out to someone with thoughts of suicide, and connect them with further support in a half-day, face-to-face workshop. This more in-depth training also allows learners to practice skills and helps to address myths and barriers around suicide.

LivingWorks ASIST

Recognised as the gold standard in suicide intervention training, LivingWorks ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is a two-day interactive and in-person workshop in suicide first-aid. Learners become ready, willing and able to intervene with someone who has thoughts of suicide, and help them develop a safety plan, access help and find hope.

LivingWorks Faith

LivingWorks Faith is an online program that empowers Christian faith leaders to increase safety from suicide and minister to those who have experienced suicide loss. Faith training provides hope-centered, safety-focused interventions, and enriches life promoting ministries in support of purposeful living and self-care.

“As a training officer I gained lots of insightful information to improve our own in-house training sessions on suicide and mental health. I feel that all our staff would benefit from this course The course wasn’t about expectations of ‘trying’ to be a counsellor it was about the stages needed to get the person to safety and/or come up with plans to keep them alive.”

Ken | Training Officer | Police

We have trained a substantial number of our Peer Support Officers, Chaplains and Psychologists in suicide first aid intervention which is undeniably an important capability to have in our agencies to provide life-assisting support for our vulnerable members.

Traci | Fire & Rescue

Belinda | LivingWorks Trainer & Former First Responder

“This is the first course I’ve attended that was brilliant! On point! Very relevant to police. Great content, delivery and practical sessions. Very, very supportive of all police doing this course.”

NSW Police Officer | Inverell