RTS3: Skills to Help Save Lives

When someone is suicidal, every interaction matters — our words, tone, body language, and listening skills all play a crucial role. RTS3 helps attendees understand what supports safety and connection during these critical moments and offers a safe space to learn and practise these skills.

Suicide prevention training also equips people with the confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling and to respond safely and compassionately, which is vital because around 19 people die by suicide each day in the UK, and many of these deaths are potentially avoidable with timely support and intervention.

Research shows that training strengthens people’s ability to support someone in crisis and increases the likelihood of effective action when it’s needed most. By building awareness, confidence, and practical skills across communities, suicide prevention training plays a vital role in helping to save lives — and it also supports workplaces in meeting the expectations of the new BS 30480 standard, which provides a national framework for preventing, responding to, and supporting people affected by suicide in workplace settings, including clear guidance on awareness, intervention, and postvention support.

Building Confidence to Support Someone in Crisis

Suicide prevention training gives people the skills and confidence to reach out when someone is struggling. A simple conversation, asked with care, can make a real difference. Training helps us notice when things aren’t okay, listen without judgement, and offer support in a way that helps people feel heard and less alone. When more of us feel able to talk about suicide safely, we create kinder, stronger communities where people are more likely to get the help they need—and potentially help save lives.

Who is RTS3 For?

RTS3 evidence-based suicide prevention training is designed for anyone — whether in the community, in professional roles, or in the workplace — because supportive, safe conversations can happen anywhere.

Aims of the Training

RTS3 aims to:

• Give people the confidence and skills to support someone who may be thinking about suicide
• Help reduce accidental harm that can happen through the words we use, our tone, or our body language
• Emphasise the importance of looking after yourself when having difficult or emotional conversations

Objectives of the Training

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• Learn practical, evidence-informed ways to talk with someone who may be feeling suicidal
• Use calm, caring, listening and body language to help someone feel heard and safe
• Spot words or behaviours that might increase distress so you can respond safely
• Better understand the pressures and emotions involved in suicide-related situations
• Respond using safe, supportive, and compassionate approaches that put the person first
• Become more aware of your own reactions and communication style
• Use simple self care strategies to protect your own wellbeing when supporting others

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To register or enquire about RTS training please contact:
Paul Higham
Email: paul.higham@suicidebereavementuk.com
Mob: 07850 710555     Tel: 01706 827 359

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