Northamptonshire launch new suicide prevention training county wide
Organisations across Northamptonshire are being invited to join a fully funded Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training programme.
The training is delivered through the Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism (MHLDA) Collaborative as part of the region’s All-Age Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training Framework.
The programme offers free online and in-person courses, including Mental Health First Aid from Kelly’s Heroes and Suicide First Aid from Diversiti UK.
A new set of training dates has now been released, and employers, community groups, and partner organisations are invited to sign up and share these opportunities with their teams.
Organisations can sign up through an expression of interest form, with full course details and dates available.
Eligibility criteria have been updated, so organisations are encouraged to review them before applying. Those interested in securing a place can do so via the expression of interest form, where full course dates and details are available.
North Northamptonshire Focuses on Suicide Prevention
North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) is taking action to reduce suicide rates, which are above the national average. Men aged 45–64 have been identified as at higher risk.
Key local findings include:
- Higher suicide rates among men than women
- Common triggers include bereavement, loneliness and social pressures
- Half of the people who die by suicide have a history of self harm
In 2023, hospital admissions for self-harm in the area were higher than the national average.
People with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) also face serious health inequalities, with shorter life expectancy and higher rates of smoking.
New Initiatives and Training Opportunities
The council is introducing projects to tackle these issues, such as:
- 'Compassionate Conversations' training for staff
- A new Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan
- SMI and smoking cessation training
- The Orange Button scheme, which trains community members to support people in emotional distress
These programmes aim to help organisations build knowledge, confidence, and skills to support mental health and prevent suicide.
With demand for mental health skills rising, this is a valuable opportunity for organisations to strengthen knowledge, confidence, and early-intervention capability across their teams.