Emergency services personnel and investigators frequently attend suicides and often encounter bereaved families at the scene. Many report feeling anxious, uncertain and ill equipped when responding to and/or supporting people bereaved by suicide, despite experiencing such situations regularly. Responding to these incidents can also have a significant personal and professional impact on staff.
RTS1 was developed to meet these needs. Informed by research, best practice, and the lived experience of emergency services personnel and people bereaved by suicide. The training provides practical guidance to help responders support those bereaved by suicide more effectively, while also recognising and addressing their own wellbeing when attending such incidents.
Designed by a team with extensive expertise in emergency services, suicide postvention (care of those bereaved by suicide), suicide prevention and research, RTS1 equips personnel to navigate the complex realities of responding to suicide — helping to build knowledge and confidence, and offering practical tools to support compassionate and safe responses to this vulnerable high-risk population.
RTS1 supports organisations in meeting the British Standard Institute (BSI) workplace suicide prevention and postvention standard, by equipping emergency services personnel with evidence based skills to respond safely and compassionately to suicide-related incidents.
Why This Training is Important
In this short video, Dr Sharon McDonnell, Founder and Managing Director of Suicide Bereavement UK, explains why RTS1 training is essential. Personally bereaved by suicide and a researcher who interviewed emergency services personnel, her study directly informed the development of RTS1.
Drawing on evidence and lived-experience, she highlights the challenges responders face and why specialist, tailored training is needed.
Who is RTS1 For?
RTS1 training is exclusively for operational emergency services personnel, including those working in ambulance services, police, fire and rescue, civilian investigation roles, Air Ambulance, RNLI, Coastguard and Mountain Rescue.
Aims of the Training
- To provide emergency services personnel with the opportunity to build knowledge, confidence and skills in responding to, and better supporting, people bereaved or affected by suicide
- To understand the personal impact that traumatic events can have on emergency services personnel and identify steps to address these effects
Objectives of the Training
- To improve staff knowledge and understanding when responding to those bereaved or affected by suicide
- To outline a person-centred, practical response to those bereaved by suicide
- To explore the effects of exposure to traumatic events
- To develop a personal plan to reduce the impact of responding to incidents of suicide
- To analyse current responses to suicide and consider how support for bereaved individuals can be improved
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A Real Conversation About Responding to SuicideThis recording, hosted by Angela Samata as part of the Speakers Collective Meaningful Conversation Series, shines a light on the experiences of emergency services personnel responding to suicide. Dr Sharon McDonnell shares key findings from her research, while Anne Marie McStocker discusses the realities of frontline work and the impact of attending RTS1 training. Honest, unedited, informative, and deeply relevant, this discussion highlights why specialist support and training are vital. Watch to understand why this training matters. |
What is Included in RTS1 Training?
This one day, face-to-face interactive workshop is delivered by two trainers
Training Materials
- A take home workbook
- High quality short videos presenting key issues in context
- An academic article, plain language summary and key report
- Lecture slides
- Take home resources for those bereaved by suicide
Delivery Methods
- Taught sessions
- Films
- Group discussion
- Individual and group exercises
All activities are designed to increase understanding, enhance motivation, and
stimulate meaningful discussion.
RTS1 WorkshopsIn-House Training for OrganisationsRTS1 is primarily delivered in-house for teams and services who wish to train their staff together. If you would like to discuss commissioning RTS1 training or request further details, please contact: Name: Paul Higham |
We also offer a limited number of open access workshops throughout the year for individuals wishing to attend. Upcoming dates are listed in the table below LONDON Cost
Timings
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Delivered By Experienced and Specialist Trainers
RTS1 workshops are delivered by two specialist trainers. Each trainer brings lived or living
experience of suicide bereavement and extensive expertise in suicide prevention. Collectively they
offer a diverse and complementary range of professional skills, including policing, mental health
nursing, academic research, policy and practice development, therapeutic practice, experience
working with children and young people, and experience in the prison service and the armed forces
Interested in our other training courses? Click on one to find out more.
To register or enquire about RTS training please contact:
Paul Higham
Email: paul.higham@suicidebereavementuk.com
Mob: 07850 710555 Tel: 01706 827 359
Suicide Bereavement UK terms and conditions
