Suicide Prevention in Student Accommodation: Training to Create a Safer, More Supportive Environment

Join us for this essential training session designed to equip staff in student accommodation with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to support students who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress.

This session will cover:

• Recognising warning signs and risk factors
• How to have supportive, non-judgmental conversations
• Practical steps to ensure student safety
• Signposting to appropriate services and resources
• Looking after your own wellbeing while supporting others

Whether you're on the front line or in a supporting role, your presence and awareness can make a life-saving difference. Let’s work together to build a compassionate and responsive community where every student feels seen, heard, and supported.

This specially adapted SPEAK (Suicide Prevention: Explore, Ask, Keep‑Safe) training has been developed and will be delivered by PAPYRUS, the national charity dedicated to preventing young suicide. SPEAK is an established 3.5‑hour introductory programme designed to help participants understand the attitudes, myths, and stigma surrounding suicide, recognise signs that someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, hold safe and sensitive conversations, and support an individual in developing a tailored safety plan.

Spaces Available

Synopsis

Speakers

Toria Thomas, Tenancy Support and Wellbeing Coordinator, Unipol Student Homes

Toria is the Tenancy Support and Wellbeing Coordinator in Unipol. Having previously trained as a Religious Education secondary school teacher, so is well used to broaching difficult topics and answering sensitive questions. Since beginning in Unipol in May 2022, Toria has assisted student tenants with numerous issues, ranging from flat fallouts and messy kitchens, to mental health crises. Toria is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, animal welfare and averting climate disaster.

Details

This session from PAPYRUS will:

• Look at the magnitude of suicide; exploring the different stages of suicidal thoughts and how we can offer support at each stage.
• Examine the ‘signs’ to indicate a person may be experiencing thoughts of suicide.
• Explore appropriate language to use when talking to a person who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide, including how to ask the question around suicide.
• Discuss how to respond to a person experiencing thoughts of suicide and how to help individuals stay safe for now from suicide, through the use of a safety plan.
• Discuss the importance of boundaries and maintaining our own wellbeing whilst supporting a person with thoughts of suicide.
• Explore how to respond compassionately and appropriately in the aftermath of a suicide, including supporting residents and staff, understanding immediate practical steps, and recognising the emotional impact on a student community following such a loss.

Delegates will leave the session with:

• An understanding of the attitudes, myths and stigma that surround suicide.
• An understanding of the ‘signs’ that may indicate someone is having thoughts of suicide.
• An understanding of how to have open, safe, and sensitive conversation about suicide with a person having thoughts of suicide.
• An understanding of safety planning and how we can work together to prevent suicide in student accommodations.