BSIA launches pioneering Suicide First Aid training for security sector

Published last October, BS 30480 Suicide and the Workplace – Intervention, Prevention and Support for People Affected by Suicide – Guide is the first British Standard wholly dedicated to suicide prevention, intervention and postvention in the workplace. The document provides organisations with a practical framework to identify and manage suicide risk, guide intervention in moments of crisis, strengthen workplace policies and culture and offer approaches that support workplaces in the event of suicide loss.

Course introduction

The BSIA is offering a preferentially priced course that allows security professionals to become Suicide First Aiders. Prior to running the first course, the Trade Association is delivering a webinar containing all of the key information, duly realising an opportunity for interested parties to ask questions.

The webinar is to be held on 3 September from 11.00 am-11.45 am. Those individuals wishing to book a place should contact the BSIA’s senior marketing and communications executive Chelsea Peplow via e-mail at [email protected]

Course content 

The first BS 30480-focused course is being hosted in-person at the BSIA’s Worcester headquarters on 24 September. By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

*understand the purpose and principles of BS 30480

*recognise the role that workplaces can play in suicide prevention

*identify factors that may contribute towards suicide risk in workplace settings

*respond appropriately when concerns are raised

*understand the importance of effective support following a suicide-related incident

*consider practical steps for embedding suicide awareness within organisational policies, procedures and well-being strategies

Further, participants will gain a Suicide First Aider certificate for their efforts.

Additional information is available via e-mail from Stephen Dutch, the BSIA’s training and schemes manager ([email protected]).

Assisting the industry 

Security personnel often work in environments that expose them to a combination of risk factors associated with poor mental well-being, including:

*lone working

*irregular work patterns and hours

*traumatic or distressing events

*workplace violence

*high levels of responsibility with limited control

*social isolation

People, property, places

The security industry is built around protecting people, property and places. Front line professionals often encounter vulnerable individuals during the course of their daily duties, in turn making awareness and intervention skills particularly valuable to them.

In 2020 in England, the Office for National Statistics recorded 20 deaths due to suicide among security professionals and related operations, 27 such deaths in 2021 and 32 in 2022. This is a clear indication that suicide prevention and workplace support are both essential and critical for the security industry.

BS 30480 offers a practical framework to recognise suicide risk and ensure that appropriate support is available for employees affected by suicide. This is incredibly important for the security sector and will assist in shaping an industry in which the quality of mental health is elevated.

*Further information is available online at www.bsia.co.uk