The Importance of Hosting Suicidal Conversations with Empathetic & Compassionate Responses
Hosting suicidal conversations with empathic and compassionate responses is important because it can provide a safe and supportive space for individuals who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Such conversations can help these individuals feel heard and understood, and can potentially offer them hope and encouragement to seek further help and support. By responding empathetically and compassionately, the person facilitating the conversation can help to reduce feelings contributing to factors leading to suicidal thoughts. Ultimately, hosting these conversations can be a lifesaving intervention for those in need.
What is the Goal of Suicide Prevention Training?
Many individuals in front-line roles, such as healthcare, mental health care, education, law enforcement, and social services, may come into contact with people who have suicidal thoughts and feelings. However, they may not have the proper knowledge or skills to handle these sensitive conversations.
Despite research showing that talking about suicide can reduce the intensity of distressing emotions, some front-line workers still believe that discussing suicide could worsen the situation. To address this, this course is designed for individuals in these fields to learn the proper techniques for hosting suicide conversations in a way that is empathetic, compassionate, and non-harmful.
By participating in suicide prevention training, workers can empower themselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm.