“Prepare, Support, Prevent”: The development of an evidence-informed suicide prevention module for undergraduate health and social care students

A multidisciplinary approach to suicide prevention is advocated for in international guidance, however, there is a lack of suicide prevention training for health and social care students at undergraduate level. To address this, an evidence-informed suicide prevention module, “ Prepare, Support, Prevent ” was designed. Module development consisted of three distinct phases, two of which are described here. The exploratory phase included a scoping review of international evidence, and a mapping exercise to identify relevant health and social care courses and any existing suicide prevention content. The design phase encompassed the formation of a national consultation group, student focus groups, and a World Café of stakeholders. This was additionally supported by pedagogical workshops and the co-creation of student-specific wellbeing content. Prepare, Support, Prevent is a four-week, in-person offering with prescribed core competencies, intended learning outcomes and associated learning activities. The module covers the epidemiology of suicide, risk and protective factors, suicide prevention strategies, communication, and safety planning in clinical practice. It also integrates student personal wellbeing, with self-directed learning. Grounded in pedagogical theory and offering flexible modes of implementation, this module is the first suicide prevention training in Ireland to specifically seek to address the needs of health and social care students.