Managing Suicide Crisis Over Text-based Platforms (Synchronous and Asynchronous E-learning)
About This Course
Professionals and volunteers in social services, mental health, education, or HR may increasingly find themselves supporting individuals in suicide crises through text messaging or email—especially as these platforms become more common among youth and adults alike. With suicide being the leading cause of death among those aged 10 to 29, and 70% of crisis text service users being young persons (Samaritans of Singapore Limited), it is essential for helpers to be equipped with the right competencies to respond effectively in this modality.
This course equips learners to recognise and navigate the unique dynamics of text-based platforms for suicide intervention. Participants will explore their own attitudes and emotional responses to suicide, identifying how these may impact their ability to offer effective support in a text-based context. They will learn to apply empathetic listening techniques and structured conversations to engage individuals in distress, as well as use appropriate suicide risk assessment and intervention strategies tailored for text interactions. The course also covers practical approaches for managing various types of texters, enhancing the learner’s ability to provide responsive and compassionate support through non-verbal communication channels.
What You'll Learn
Learning Outcomes:
LO1: Identify personal attitudes and reactions towards suicide that can hinder effective emotional support over text compared to face-to-face engagement
LO2: Recognise the difference between suicide and non-suicidal self-harm behaviours
LO3: Apply empathetic listening and conversation structure to engage a suicidal person over text
LO4: Apply the suicide risk assessment questions and intervention over text
LO5: Apply strategies to manage and end conversations with variety of text clients
Entry Requirements
• Be able to listen and speak English at a proficiency level equivalent to the Employability Skills Workplace Literacy (WPL) Level 5
• Be able to read and write English a a proficiency level equivalent to the Employability Skills Workplace Literacy (WPL) Level 5
• Be able to use numeracy skills equivalent to the Employability Skills Workplace Numeracy (WPN) Level 5
• Learners need to have basic knowledge of computer skills
• Cognition: Medium thought processing ability and speed of understanding
• Emotion: High motivation. Desire to be of service to the general public
• Sociality: Medium to high propensity