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Findings from Suicide Prevention Training Pilot Shared at School of Public Health Seminar
We know that the majority of those who die by suicide have had some level of contact with a healthcare professional in the months prior to their death. However, there is currently little to no suicide prevention training in most health and social care courses nationally, and an evident need to increase the knowledge and confidence of our healthcare professionals in navigating this space.
On Thursday 16th January at the School of Public Health “Public Health in Action” seminar series, Dr Michelle O’Driscoll and colleague Kerrie Gallagher co-presented the findings of a recent pilot of a suicide prevention training for undergraduate health and social care students. The project is led by the National Suicide Research Foundation, with whom Michelle holds a dual role, and is funded by the Health Service Executive National Office for Suicide Prevention as part of Ireland’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy, “Connecting for Life”. It has also received recent additional financial support through SATLE to develop a train the trainer programme for sustainable national rollout.
The module’s aim was to prepare health and social care students to support individuals at risk of suicide, whom they may encounter in their future careers or whilst out on placement. Over 200 students at UCC and UCD completed the module. Findings are universally positive, and were outlined during this presentation.
This project has had significant input from colleagues at the School of Pharmacy. Professor Laura Sahm is a member of the national consultation group that informed its design, and Dr Aoife Fleming has supported its interprofessional delivery and evaluation. The School has also led the way in the sustainable embedding of this module, with a workshop based on the module content included in the new fifth year clinical module, coordinated by Dr Maria Donovan, and delivered by Michelle and Kerrie.
The full presentation can be accessed on the UCC Public Health in Action Seminar Series webpage.
Any queries can be directed to Dr Michelle O'Driscoll.
If you or someone you know need support, the following services may be of benefit:
- On the phone – Samaritans – freephone 116 123
- By text message - Text About It – text HELLO to 50808
- Online – MyMind - www.mymind.org
- Face-to-face – Pieta – freephone 1800 247 247
- HSE YourMentalHealth Information Line, available anytime day or night, for information on mental health, and what other services and supports are available near you. Freephone 1800 111 888 or visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie.