Resilience First Aid – Changing the Narrative
If you want to do more about suicide prevention, but want to do it in a more uplifting and motivating way, then Resilience First Aid is ideal.
Suicide Prevention Day is coming up in September, and the theme has just been announced as “Changing the Narrative”. This year’s theme covers:
- Awareness – Emphasises the importance of raising awareness about suicide and its preventability
- Cultural Shift – Advocates for a shift from silence and stigma to openness, understanding, and support
- Systemic Change – Calls for policies and legislation that prioritise mental health and increase access to care
- Research and Interventions – Promotes investing in research and evidence-based interventions
- Call for Action – Encourages individuals, communities, and organisations to engage in open conversations about mental health and suicide
This aligns perfectly with Resilience First Aid (RFA), our accredited course that uses resilience skills as primary prevention to avoid mental health crises from developing.
How does RFA take a different approach? Here are five ways RFA changes the narrative, providing valuable insights for HR professionals and team leaders on the proactive benefits of investing in this training.
1. Proactive Prevention Over Reactive Response
Traditional approaches to mental health often focus on intervention after a crisis occurs. RFA shifts this paradigm by emphasising prevention through resilience training. Instead of waiting for mental health issues to escalate, RFA equips individuals with conversational skills and resilience knowledge to protect mental health proactively. This proactive stance can reduce the incidence of mental health crises, fostering a healthier, more resilient workplace environment.
2. Building a Culture of Resilience
RFA fosters a culture of resilience by teaching people at all levels how to create and maintain a psychosocially safe environment. This culture encourages open discussions about mental health, reducing stigma and promoting support networks. The RFA course covers six domains of resilience: Vision, Composure, Reasoning, Tenacity, Collaboration, and Health, all of which contribute to a supportive and connected workplace culture.
3. Scientific Foundation and Measurable Impact
RFA is grounded in the Predictive 6 Factor Resilience Model (PR6), a scientifically validated framework that enhances both personal and peer resilience skills. Research demonstrates that RFA significantly improves personal resilience by 10.2% and peer support skills by 11.3% immediately following the training, with these improvements persisting and even increasing over time. Specifically, the ability to recognise suicide warning signs improved by 33.3%, showcasing RFA’s effectiveness as a suicide prevention tool.
4. Enhanced Suicide Prevention Skills
One of the most critical impacts of RFA is its enhancement of suicide prevention skills. Participants learn to identify early signs of distress and engage in proactive conversations using the ALL Protocol (Appreciate, Listen, Lift). This system is designed to foster meaningful interactions that proactively develop strong relationships and lifts hope, and can de-escalate potential crises before they fully develop. By equipping employees with these skills, workplaces can create an environment where people feel supported and valued, significantly reducing the risk of suicide.
5. Comprehensive Support and Ongoing Development
RFA provides comprehensive support through a combination of flexible training, a Resilience First Aid Responder Kit, and access to the Driven Resilience App for ongoing learning. This continuous development ensures that the skills and knowledge gained from the training are reinforced and expanded upon, contributing to long-term mental health benefits. For workplaces, this means valuable skills for managers to create a supportive environment, contributing to a resilient workforce, better equipped to handle stress and support each other.
Looking for Prevention?
RFA is focused on prevention through uplifting training that build strengths in people.
This is a great proven and accredited program to invest in, especially if you’ve already implemented crisis intervention programs in your workplace. If you’re looking to invest in prevention for your workplace, get in touch and we can help you get started.
Investing in Resilience First Aid is not just about compliance or ticking a box for mental health training. It’s about making a real, measurable impact on the wellbeing of your employees. By changing the narrative from reactive intervention to proactive prevention, RFA helps create a supportive, resilient culture that can significantly reduce the risk of suicide and enhance overall mental health. As we head towards Suicide Prevention Day, let’s commit to starting the conversation and fostering environments where every individual feels seen, supported, and valued.
Crisis Support:
Australia – Lifeline: 13 11 14
United States – Lifeline: 988
