LGBTQIA+: Self Harm & Suicide Prevention (Open Access Course)

Live online training via MS Teams

The Academy at Harmless is pleased to offer life-saving training to delegates from all sectors and backgrounds through its Open Access Courses.

The training will increase awareness of self harm and suicide within the LGBTQIA+ community and help you to recognise the unique risk factors that affect it. You will gain practical skills to create a more inclusive, supportive environment and to confidently challenge stigma and discrimination.

Learning Outcomes:

• Improve awareness of self harm and suicide in the LGBTQIA+ community 

• Understand the unique risk factors that impact this community 

• Reduce stigma and discrimination associated with self harm and suicide in the LGBTQIA+ community

• Develop skills to create an inclusive environment and support someone affected by self harm and/or suicide

• Improve confidence and competence to understand and manage self harm and suicide

• Increase engagement from the community with support services

• Consider signposting to appropriate local and national services

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

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for a broad range of professionals, volunteers, and allies, particularly frontline staff supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. It provides essential insights and practical skills for anyone whose duties may involve contact with LGBTQIA+ individuals experiencing distress, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts. Participants will learn to recognise the unique risk factors affecting LGBTQIA+ people, gain the practical tools to create a more inclusive, supportive environment, and confidently challenge stigma and discrimination.

Target audiences may include:

• Health and Clinical Services: Primary Care (Admin, reception, or practice staff), Mental Health Services, Sexual Health Clinics, Drug and Alcohol Services, Pharmacy, and Occupational Health staff offering care/support to LGBTQIA+ patients.

• Emergency & First Responders: Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Paramedics, and other Emergency Services personnel responding to individuals in crisis.

• Social and Family Support: Early Help Family Services, Adult Social Care, and staff in Care Homes supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, adults, and older adults.

• Community and Voluntary Sector: LGBTQIA+ charities and community networks, Community Champions, Youth Workers, Social Prescribers, and Faith/Community Groups focused on inclusivity and outreach.

• Welfare, Housing, and Financial Support: Staff and providers in Housing & Homelessness Services (including supported housing and shelters), Advice Services, Debt Agencies, Food Banks, and Libraries supporting vulnerable LGBTQIA+ individuals.

• Education and Justice: Teaching Staff, University/College Wellbeing Teams, and professionals in Education settings, as well as staff in Justice Services.

• Commissioned and Corporate: Public Health Commissioned Services, HR professionals, Diversity & Inclusion officers, and staff in Private Sector Organisations looking to foster inclusive environments and support LGBTQIA+ employees.

• Informal Support Networks: Families, carers, friends, partners, and allies within the support networks of LGBTQIA+ people who self-harm or experience suicidal thoughts.

About Harmless
Harmless is the centre of excellence for self harm and suicide prevention. Each year, we support thousands of people who self harm, are in suicide crisis or have been bereaved by suicide. We’re also committed to sharing our expertise so everyone feels confident talking about mental health and supporting those in distress. That’s why we created The Academy at Harmless – to equip people to respond with confidence and compassion when it matters most. All our inclusive, interactive training is CPD-accredited, aligned with national guidelines and delivered by expert Training & Education Officers.

Self-Care
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. We also encourage delegates 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.