Developing Undergraduate and Pre-registration Learning for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-harm
Background
Suicide is a serious public health problem and prevention is a high priority in Wales, as well as across the world (WHO). In 2022, 339 suicides deaths were registered for Wales (Office National Statistics). Accurate data about the number of incidents of self-harm is more challenging as many are not reported but self-harm results in 5,500 medical admissions per year across all ages in Wales and is one of the top five causes of hospital admissions (Public Health Network Wales).
In 2023 a national multi-agency survey of training needs in Wales identified significant gaps in training among professionals regularly encountering individuals affected by suicide and self-harm. The survey found that nearly a third of respondents hadn’t received any training in the prevention of suicide and self-harm and one in five respondents reported that they were not confident in responding appropriately to people affected by suicide and self-harm.
To help address these concerns NHS Wales Executive engaged Skills for Health to work with key stakeholders to develop an innovative and comprehensive set of learning standards, and supporting materials describing the areas of knowledge, skills, and behaviours that require development to successfully support suicide and self-harm prevention. The learning and products will be of value for pre-registration, pre-qualifying and undergraduate students in health and care, NHS and care staff and their managers, higher education institutions, and other training providers.
Purpose and objectives
The main purpose of this learning is to provide undergraduate, pre-registration and pre-qualifying students in health, care and social work programmes a foundation in the core areas of learning around suicide prevention and self-harm reduction to prepare them for practice, on placement, and once registered in their future work. It is hoped that the learning will give them the confidence to engage with individuals, groups and communities who may be experiencing distress and suicidal thoughts; know how to communicate effectively with them; and signpost or escalate for further help to reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm.
Developing a consistent approach to learning
Skills for Health worked with the NHS Wales Executive and led the development process in collaboration with a diverse Expert Reference Group (ERG) including representatives from health, social care, higher education, the third sector, and people with lived experience. This multi-professional and multi-sector approach ensures a comprehensive and inclusive development process incorporating diverse perspectives and experience to create effective learning and supporting materials.
Support and guidance for higher education providers
The resource supports higher education institutions and training providers to integrate the learning about the prevention of suicide and self-harm into existing programmes and is mapped, where possible to health and social work standards of proficiency set out by the regulatory standard setting bodies for health and social care which undergraduate, pre-registration and prequalifying learning is based on. It is not intended to prescribe learning content but to support and inform educational content leading to a workforce informed about the prevention of suicide and self-harm.
The prevention of suicide and self-harm can be a challenging subject for both higher education institution staff and students alike. Each learning outcome is provided with links to suggested helpful resources including videos and the NHS Wales Suicide and Self-Harm Training Hub which educators can use to assist delivery.
Students will cover areas such as an awareness about suicide and self-harm, including myths and language, the national, legal and protocols around data sharing and confidentiality, as well as recognising the circumstantial and behavioural factors associated with increased predisposition or reduced vulnerability to suicide and self-harm. Students will be encouraged to develop confidence in communicating with individuals who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts and, or, may be self-harming, and skills to help keep them safe and signpost them to further support. There is an emphasis on the student’s own self-care and wellbeing, as well as a debrief and guided reflection about the learning.
Advisory support notes for higher education providers, students and placement providers/employers are also provided to help consolidate the learning through placement experiences, develop skills and confidence in the workplace and continuing support for student wellbeing.
Transferability of the learning to other countries and regions
Although the scope of the work is for Wales, the learning described and associated materials for the prevention of suicide and self-harm, will be transferable to other countries and regions with some contextualisation.
Download the framework
English version
Welsh version
