LivingWorks safeTALK

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

Implementation considerations

• Target population: The safeTALK program is designed for school staff and secondary school students aged 15 and above. The safeTALK T4T options is aimed at school staff who wish to deliver the workshops.
• Program adaptability: Schools should discuss their student demographics and suicide prevention needs with LivingWorks to design their individualised Network of Safety approach. Adaptations to trainer selection, training delivery, audiovisuals, and safety resources can also be developed. The program can be adapted for diverse cohorts including:
  • culturally and linguistically diverse students
  • LGBTIQA+ students.
• Staffing: Backfilling is required. The Menu provider and its personnel must not be alone with any school student or group of school students in the classroom or in any other place at the school’s premises without another educator, teacher or teacher’s aide present at all times.
• 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:
  • safeTALK workshops require a minimum of 10 participants and a time commitment of 3–4 hours.
  • A postponement fee of 30% of the total workshop price may apply if a workshop is postponed by the school within 7 days.
  • A cancellation fee of 20% of the workshop may apply if a workshop is cancelled by the school within 28 days, a fee of 50% if cancelled within 7 days and 100% if cancelled within 2 business days. If the workshop is cancelled by LivingWorks, the school will receive a full refund.
  • If the school is unable to procure the required number of minimum participants, they must contact LivingWorks with more than 7 days’ notice or postponement fees will apply.
  • The safeTALK T4T program requires a time commitment of 2 days (16 hours). Ongoing mentoring, feedback, and support are provided.
  • Participants must have completed the LivingWorks ASIST workshop within 24 months prior to attending a LivingWorks T4T.
  • On completion of the T4T course, participants are considered a provisional trainer. To become a registered trainer, participants will need to execute a LivingWorks Trainer Agreement, deliver 3 workshops within 12 months with another appropriately qualified registered or provisional trainer then deliver a minimum of 2 workshops per year to maintain their status as a registered trainer.
• Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$5,000+

Detailed cost

The LivingWorks safeTALK workshop is $6,458.10 (including GST). This includes:

• in-person 3–4 hour workshop for 10–30 participants, delivered by one trainer, including preparation, delivery and travel costs
• safeTALK training license for each participant on completion of the workshop
• a workbook for each participant, which can be used as an ongoing teaching resource
• support from a designated LivingWorks contact for workshop planning, registration, and administration processes.

The LivingWorks safeTALK T4T cost depends on the number of participants, priced at $22,660 (including GST) for 6–10 participants and $45,320 (including GST) for 12–20 participants. This includes:

• a 2-day (16 hour) in-person workshop
• ongoing mentoring, feedback and support
• status as a provisional trainer on completion of the course
• safeTALK T4T Kit for each participant.

Schools may also purchase additional LivingWorks safeTALK T4T Kits at $22.66 each (including GST).