Overview
We understand that an educated, trauma informed, postvention workforce that is resourced and equipped to respond to the devastating grief and trauma of suicide, is essential to stop further suicides from occuring.
PVA has led the design and launch of a Certificate Pilot that aims to fill this training gap. The Suicide Bereavement Certificate Pilot is a one-semester course, delivered on-line with multimedia components, specifically developed for peer/lived experience support workers, professionals, and other relevant parties. The Certificate Course content is developed, in consultation with experts, service providers, professionals, peer workers and those bereaved by suicide. The Certificate would be nationally accredited with ASQA, with the aim to become a full Certificate III.
The NSW Suicide Bereavement Care Certificate will build community capacity and equip professionals and peers with the skills and knowledge to effectively address the needs of those bereaved by suicide and importantly do no harm.
Postvention education and training will bring fundamental change at a systems level across NSW communities, developing industry regulation to meet the challenging needs of this high-risk population, and reducing the incidence of suicide and improving mental health outcomes.
Postvention Australia
SA-IT for Suicide Prevention
Saving someone’s life can begin with having a conversation. We can support people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or distress by creating opportunities to have a conversation.
As part of this Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training (SA-IT), individuals will learn how to identify behavioural changes, understand, and identify risk factors and develop some skills around being able to safely speak to and support those at risk of suicide or self-harm.
This program will not inform or teach counselling skills, it is about skilling the community – people in the best position to save a life, with a toolkit designed to do exactly that, by being able to identify seemingly innocent behaviours and risk factors, asking simple questions, and providing safety.

What is a Gatekeeper?
In the context of suicide prevention, a gatekeeper is a person who believes that suicide can be prevented and is willing to give their time and energy for this ambition.
Suicidality And Warning Signs
- Verbal warning signs
- Behavioural warning signs
- Situational risk factors and triggers
SA-IT: Three Key Steps
- Just ask the question
- Give them hope
- Link them to help