Suicide within the Armed Forces (AF) community has a profound and far reaching impact on relatives, friends, colleagues, serving personnel, and veterans. Those bereaved by suicide often experience complex emotions shaped by their loss, military culture, identity, and the demands of service life. Many professionals describe feeling anxious or unsure how to respond to those bereaved by suicide, even when they have significant experience of death and dying in other contexts, including combat.
Responding to those bereaved by suicide can also have a personal and professional impact on those offering care and support. RTS4 was developed to address these challenges. Co-produced with the AF community and informed by research, best-practice, and lived-experience, the training builds understanding, strengthens skills, and increases confidence when supporting those bereaved by suicide. It also helps organisations embed evidence-based, compassionate approaches to suicide bereavement support.
RTS4 supports organisations in meeting the British Standard Institute (BSI) workplace suicide prevention and postvention standard by equipping those who support, or come into contact with, people in the Armed Forces community bereaved by suicide.
Why This Training is ImportantThis video outlines the research and lived experience work that informed the development of RTS4 training and the suicide bereavement guides for the Armed Forces community. |
Who is RTS4 For?
RTS4 is designed for professionals and volunteers who come into contact with, or provide support to, members of the Armed Forces community bereaved by suicide.
Aims of the Training
RTS4 aims to:
- Enhance knowledge, skills, and confidence when supporting those bereaved by suicide in the AF community
- Improve practice through trauma informed, evidence based approaches
- Support safe, compassionate and effective responses
- Reduce unintentional harm caused by language, misunderstanding, or assumptions
- Strengthen personal resilience and wellbeing for those providing support
Objectives of the Training
By the end of the workshop, attendees will:
- Gain confidence supporting those bereaved by suicide in the AF community
- Recognise factors that influence grief, trauma, and support needs within the AF community
- Understand the unique complexities of suicide bereavement in a military context
- Reflect on the personal impact of this work and use tools to maintain their wellbeing
Commissioning RTS4 TrainingRTS4 is delivered in-house by two trainers with extensive experience in the Armed Forces community, suicide prevention, and suicide bereavement. This evidence-based, practice-informed, CPD accredited course provides a safe, structured learning environment tailored to organisations supporting the AF community. |
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What is Included in RTS4 Training?
This one day, face-to-face interactive workshop is delivered by two trainers
Training Materials
- A take home workbook
- Lecture slides
- High quality short videos
- Evidence-based suicide bereavement guides
- Wellbeing resources
Learning Methods
The workshop uses:
- Taught sessions
- Videos
- Individual and group exercises
- Facilitated discussion
All activities are designed to increase understanding, build confidence, and encourage meaningful reflection.
Interested in our other training courses? Click on one to find out more.
For more information or to discuss your training needs:
Contact: Paul Higham
Email: paul.higham@suicidebereavementuk.com
Tel: 01706 827 359
