Connecting with People program

The Connecting with People (CwP) program is:

• designed to improve the response given to people in distress or at risk of suicide
• informed by evidence-based principles, lived experience and clinical expertise
• aims to increase the use of a compassionate approach
• aims to reduce stigma
• aims to enhance compassionate response to a person with suicidal thoughts or following self-harm.

About CwP

• The CwP philosophy is that suicide is not inevitable. It moves towards greater focus on compassion, safeguarding and co-designed safety plans.
• CwP offers a clinical governance framework and appropriate tools (including the SAFE-Tool) to build knowledge and understanding, and confidence to support people in suicidal distress.
• CwP offers a common language to describe the nature and intent of suicidal thoughts. This enables greater clarity, accuracy and consistency between clinicians, consumers, families, carers and organisations. It also improves the quality of documentation.
• CwP is supported by Tasmania’s Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Aaron Groves. It is endorsed by the Statewide Mental Health Services Executive for implementation across public mental health services.

CwP training in Tasmania

The Suicide Prevention Workforce Development and Training Plan for Tasmania 2016-2020 provides the policy context for the delivery of CwP training. Tasmania’s accredited trainers are licensed to provide free training to different sectors including:

• government-funded health and community services
• education
• police
• ambulance
• correctional services
• primary care
• aged care.

The CwP training program

The program in Tasmania consists of seven flexible and independent modules:

• Suicide Awareness
• Suicide Response Part 1
• Suicide Response Part 2
• Self-Harm Awareness and Self-Harm Response,
• Emotional Resilience
• Compassion at Work.

There is no requirement to complete all modules. Each takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. Training is also available to build suicide awareness, compassion and emotional resilience within a workplace mental health and wellbeing strategy.

The trainers

Our accredited trainers come from various agencies and areas:

• health
• justice
• education
• corrections
• mental health (people and carers
• child and youth services
• primary care
• first responders.

Who can undertake training?

CwP Training is available free of charge for:

• all Tasmanian Government employees,
• primary care employees
• aged care employees
• people in the community sector
• University of Tasmania employees.

To find out about training in your area, please contact the Mental Health Alcohol and Drug Directorate:

• Phone: 03 6166 0774
• Email: [email protected]

Upcoming training dates

There are no upcoming dates currently. We will update this page as more are announced.

Where to get more information

Jane Austin, Principal Policy Officer, Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Directorate

• Phone: 03 6166 0769
• Email: [email protected]