The purpose of this qualification is to support learners who are in contact with vulnerable people with an understanding of suicide risk and triggers, to increase awareness that suicide is preventable and promote open discussion of negative feelings and suicide intent.
This qualification will explain the STEPS model, which supports individuals
through the stages involved when having suicide conversations: Situation,
Tolerance, Emotions, Perspective, Suicide, Solutions and Support.
This qualification aims to:
• develop learners’ knowledge of the scale of suicide in the United Kingdom and its associated stigma
• enable learners to recognise stressors, risks and triggers that may lead an individual to have negative thoughts
• demonstrate the importance of having a conversation with an individual about suicidal thoughts and provide learners with the key skills required to prepare them for a conversation with an individual at suicide risk
• offer breadth and depth of study, incorporating a key level of knowledge and understanding.
The objectives of this qualification are to:
• provide an understanding of the context of suicide
• identify the impact of stressful situations on an individual
• demonstrate how individuals exhibit different levels of tolerance
• recognise the effects of stressful situations on an individual’s wellbeing
• understand how an individual’s outlook might impact their susceptibility to suicidal thoughts
• promote the importance of talking about suicide, suicidal thoughts and seeking support
• understand and follow the STEPS model to hold a conversation with
someone at suicide risk.