LivingWorks safeTALK

This program aims to help upper primary and secondary school teachers and students aged 15+ to recognise signs of suicide, break down stigma, and ensure someone in need receives help.

On this page

  • Tier: Tier 1: Positive mental health promotion
  • Category of intervention: Mental health literacy
  • Strength of evidence: Level 3: Foundational and emerging evidence for program
  • Geographic location: Statewide

Program description

LivingWorks safeTALK helps upper primary and secondary school teachers and students aged 15+ to build suicide awareness and to connect persons with thoughts of suicide with life-affirming help. The program is delivered by experienced trainers.

School staff can also attend Training for Trainers (T4T). This is a 2-day course that teaches staff to present the safeTALK training.

Intended outcomes

  • Increased ability to notice and respond to situations where suicide thoughts may be present
  • Ability to apply the TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, KeepSafe
  • Greater understanding of community resources and how to connect someone with thoughts of suicide to them for further suicide-safe help
  • Healthier school culture and reduced stigma around suicide

Program details

Target audience
  • Secondary school students – upper
  • Primary school staff – capacity building
  • Secondary school staff – capacity building
Program providerLivingWorks Education Australia
Delivery modeFace-to-face

Implementation considerations

  • Target population: The program is designed for young people aged 15 and above.
  • Program adaptability: The program is suitable for diverse cohorts including:
    • culturally and linguistically diverse students
    • LGBTIQA+ students.
  • Staffing: Backfilling is required.
  • Training requirements: The training sessions will require one room large enough to accommodate a large group (30 participants) and basic Audio-Visual infrastructure such as a screen and projector.
  • Factors to consider: There is a minimum of 10 participants and a time commitment of 3–4 hours. The safeTALK T4T program requires a time commitment of 2 days (16 hours). Ongoing mentoring, feedback, and support are provided.
  • Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$5,000+

Detailed cost

The cost for a private LivingWorks safeTALK workshop is $6,270 (including GST). This includes:

  • trainer fee for one Trainer, including payment for training license, preparation and delivery
  • training license
  • 30 x LivingWorks safeTALK participant kits
  • support from a designated LivingWorks contact for workshop planning, registration, and administration processes.

The cost for a LivingWorks safeTALK T4T is $22,000–$44,000 (including GST) depending on the number of trainer candidates.

Education

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