The SRC are now recruiting trainers to help deliver our pioneering “Mind Your Mate” Suicide Prevention Training workshops, writes Lauren McDougall, SRC President.

We’re looking for enthusiastic staff and students with an interest in learning basic mental health awareness and suicide prevention skills and who have a desire to raise awareness amongst the student and staff community at the University of Glasgow. You don’t need any previous mental health experience and this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a ground-breaking project that has already delivered workshops to over 350 students and staff in its pilot year at the University of Glasgow and has been commended by the Scottish Government!

If this interests you, please read on…

Background to the project

Last year the Glasgow University Students’ Representative Council piloted a collaborative student and staff-led initiative designed by  PIPS who are a professional organisation training thousands In life saving skills. We know that suicide affects many people, and sadly our staff and students are not immune. The University’s Mental Health Action Plan has included this training initiative as a way to create a more supportive and equipped environment for all, and which recognises the important of early intervention.  We have been successful in being awarded further investment from the Big Lottery Fund to train a new cohort of staff and students to deliver this innovative training programme. It’s incredibly important that this project includes both student and staff involvement and we’re open to applications from students at all levels of study and staff based in all areas of the University, although this may be particularly beneficial for staff in a student-facing role inc. Advisors of Study.

What’s the commitment?

  • Take part in a five-day initial training course (13th  to 17th of August 2018) – morning attendance is mandatory however we can be flexible with afternoons
  • Commit to working collaboratively, supportively and constructively with fellow trainers
  • Deliver a practice workshop with supervision on the 20th or 21st of August with a chance to de-brief and receive feedback from the PIPs trainers
  • Deliver a minimum of 4 workshops (3 hours each) throughout the academic year to students and staff, which will be coordinated by GUSRC
  • Take part in ongoing practice development sessions – approximately 2 over the coming year
  • Contribute your ideas and feedback to help shape the programme for the future

The benefits of being trained are:

  • Access to comprehensive free training provided PIPS
  • The opportunity to be involved in creating positive social and cultural change
  • Improved knowledge around the causes of suicide and the approaches for preventing and linking someone to help
  • Involvement in a sector-leading initiative which harnesses the skills and experience of both staff and students in the spirit of true partnership working

The training includes:

  • The core of suicide prevention
  • Resilience and reasons why someone may become suicidal
  • Reasons someone at risk may not access help
  • Barriers to helping someone at risk
  • How to help someone, using our ‘Look - Listen – Link’ model
  • Support and resources within the University and the local area
  • Maintaining your own mental health

If you’re interested in becoming a trainer please email Fatemeh Nokhbeh, SRC Vice President (Student Support), at vp-support@src.gla.ac.uk with a short paragraph outlining why you’d like to be involved. Places are limited so please reply as soon as you can, and before 5pm on Tuesday the 24th of July.

If you have any questions about accessibility, equal opportunities or availability throughout the week of training please do not hesitate to contact me, l.mcdougall@src.gla.ac.uk.

First published: 16 July 2018

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