A NEW initiative which aims to train hundreds of public-facing workers and volunteers on how to spot the signs that someone may be suicidal is being launched today.
The free course, which is being launched on World Suicide Prevention Day, is a 90-minute online training course designed for people who work or volunteer with the public such as car park attendants, volunteers at food banks and bar staff.
The organisations involved include Olly’s Future, West Sussex Mind, Worthing Samaritans, as well as Adur and Worthing Councils.
The Olly’s Future charity developed ten tools for talking about suicide, along with suicide prevention training organisation, Start The Conversation.
Oliver’s mum, Ann Feloy, founded the charity after she lost her son to suicide just two days before his 23rd birthday in February 2017.
She said: “I miss my son so dearly and would hate for anyone to go through the pain of loss that I feel every day.
“By developing this training, I wanted to equip people with the skills I wish I’d had to help Oliver.
“It is a privilege to work with other mental health charities in Adur and Worthing to save lives from suicide. All the work we do at Olly’s Future is in memory of my son.”
Oliver Hare, who was from Worthing and gained a first in History at University College London, was known as someone who had a lot of friends, loved to party, travelled all over the world and even knew three languages.
Men make up 75 per cent of people who die by suicide - and the charity say the loss of someone close to them makes this devastating statistic “all too real”.
On Saturday many of Oliver's friends, family & those connected or supportive of Olly's Future came together to remember Oliver on a lovely walk through the countryside around Christ Hospital. A big thank you to those who made this special event happen. Love and Light @AnnFeloy pic.twitter.com/iJShdUbQst
— Olly's Future (@OllysFuture) September 6, 2021
The course will be delivered between September and December, with the aim to equip public-facing workers with the knowledge and skills to support someone in crisis.
Katie Glover, CEO at West Sussex Mind, said they are pleased to come together with several organisations for this campaign.
She added: “It is vital that people having suicidal thoughts know they have somewhere to turn and that we equip people in our communities with the skills and confidence to have potentially life-saving conversations.”
To find out more about the course, go to https://www.westsussexmind.org/training-courses/preventing-suicide.
If you need someone to talk to without judgement, contact the Samaritans on 116 123.
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