Suicide intervention and mental health literacy workshops

Your health and safety is our top priority. In accordance with health advice and Australian social distancing measures, Open Arms is reviewing and progressively reintroducing face-to-face groups across Australia.

Open Arms has expanded its suite of online options to include introductory training on suicide prevention (Suicide Prevention START), Doing Anger Differently, Understanding Anxiety, Managing Pain, Recovery from Trauma, and Sleeping Better.

We want to assure you that we are striving to continue delivery of group treatment programs and mental health literacy workshops, and will provide dates of availability in each region as restrictions are lifted.

If you are feeling that you would benefit from further support or information, you can contact Open Arms 24/7 on 1800 011 046.

Open Arms offers a variety of free training opportunities to those seeking to help family, friends, co-workers or others in the veteran community.

Open Arms suicide intervention workshops assist participants to recognise warning signs for suicide, and learn intervention strategies. 

View the workshops below to see which one is appropriate for you, or call us on 1800 011 046.

These workshops are delivered in RSL's and major Ex-Service Organisations (ESO) around the country. If you are an ESO that would like to get involved with this training please contact OpenArms.Coord@dva.gov.au.

  • Livingworks Start
    Online training
    60-90 minutes

    Online skills training: Suicide Prevention Start

    Register online

    Get started learning suicide prevention skills. In just one hour, this online program will teach you how to recognise when someone is thinking about suicide and how to connect them to help and support

    Learn a powerful four-step model to keep someone safe from suicide by:

    • understanding how to respond in ways that clarify and address suicide risk
    • developing suicide intervention skills through interactive simulations and scenarios
    • creating safety plans that reduce the risk of suicide

    This training does not replace the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) or the Suicide Alertness for Everyone (safeTALK) workshops, but provides fundamental skills that you may wish to develop further.

    Who can attend: Anyone aged 13+ years who has contact with, or supports the veteran community. No prior training required.

  • Education workshop
    Two day workshop

    Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - ASIST

    View sessions

    A national educational workshop to help you respond to suicide signals

    Most people thinking about suicide signal their pain and intentions. This gives us opportunities to respond.

    • Learn to see, hear and respond to signals.
    • Improve your skills for working with people at risk to increase immediate safety and get further help.
    • Recognise when someone may be thinking of suicide.
    • Respond in ways that clarify and address suicide risk.
    • Understand why suicidal thoughts are present.
    • Work together to review risk and increase safety.

    Who can attend: Anyone concerned about family, friends, colleagues or others in the veteran community. Attendance at both days is essential.

  • Education workshop
    Two day workshop

    Mental health first aid

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    A national educational workshop to help you learn practical skills for helping a family member, friend, co-worker or other person who is experiencing mental health problems

    • Learn how to listen and respond to someone with a mental health problem, even if they are experiencing a crisis.
    • Help someone access the support they might need as part of their recovery journey.
    • Actively reduce stigma in the veteran community, by responding appropriately to myths and misunderstandings about mental illness.

    Developed by Mental Health First Aid Australia and delivered by Open Arms qualified instructors, who specialise in working with the veteran community. Attendance at both days is essential.

    Who can attend: Anyone concerned about family, friends, colleagues or others in the veteran community experiencing common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, psychosis or substance abuse problems.

  • safeside_workshop
    Education workshop
    Half day workshop

    Suicide alertness for everyone - safeTALK

    View sessions

    A national educational workshop to help you become more alert to suicide prevention opportunities and how to offer help

    Most people with thoughts of suicide signal their distress and invite help. These opportunities are often missed, dismissed or avoided and people feel more alone and at greater risk.

    • Watch video role play reminders of why suicide alertness matters.
    • Hear how open, direct talk about suicide can increase safety.
    • Discuss barriers to helping and practice basic helping steps.

    Who can attend: Anyone concerned about family, friends, colleagues or others in the veteran community.