Circular 19/24 Suicide prevention skills training  

The Royal Commission has shone a light on the vital issue of Defence and veteran suicide, and the need for active and ongoing support for serving and ex-serving members of the ADF, and their families.

RSL NSW is committed to supporting the wellbeing of veterans and their families, and encourages interested sub-Branches to participate in suicide prevention skills training, currently funded by the NSW Government.

All RSL NSW members are invited to attend safeTALK (a half-day, in-person workshop) to learn the critical skills required to identify someone with thoughts of suicide, ask direct questions, and refer them to ongoing professional support and assistance. These courses are fully funded under the NSW Government’s Mental Health Recovery Package until 30 June 2024.

The free, state-wide workshops are currently being offered at various locations across NSW. Click here to view the remaining available dates and register for a session near you.

Alternatively, ANZAC House will host a safeTALK workshop in Sydney on Tuesday 4 June. This course is open to RSL NSW members, the wider veteran community, and their families, and will provide a supportive space to participate in the training. If anyone from your sub-Branch would like to attend this session, please complete this expression of interest form on or before 12 April. A second session may be delivered on Tuesday 11 June, if there is demand.

Any members who cannot attend an in-person workshop, can still complete the 90-minute online Start training, designed to increase skills and confidence around suicide intervention, and provide helpful resources. Click here to register and commence the self-paced online course.

Both the Start and safeTALK courses were developed by LivingWorks with input from experts in suicide prevention, education, psychology, public health, social work, faith communities and the military.