Introduction to suicide and self-harm awareness

1. Understand what is meant by ‘self-harm’ and ‘suicide.

• 1.1 Define the following terms: • self-harm • suicide • indirect suicide
• 1.2 List common reasons why individuals may self harm or attempt suicide

2. Understand the ‘triggers’ which might cause an individual to self-harm or attempt suicide.

• 2.1 Define what is meant by the term ‘trigger’ in the context of suicide and self-harm
• 2.2 Identify triggers that could cause the following individuals to self-harm or attempt suicide: • children and young people • adults
• 2.3 Explain why groups with protected characteristics may be more likely to attempt suicide
• 2.4 Describe what is meant by the term ‘co-occurring disorders’
• 2.5 Explain how co-occurring disorders can interact with self-harm or suicidal thoughts
• 2.6 Describe how individuals with suicidal thoughts can be affected by national and international events
• 2.7 Outline, with examples, how personal events in an individual’s life can influence their decision to selfharm or attempt suicide
• 2.8 Describe, with examples, how socio-economic factors can have a negative impact on individuals at risk of self-harm and suicide

3. Understand media and societal attitudes to selfharm and suicide.

• 3.1 Describe how self-harm and suicide are portrayed in the media
• 3.2 Describe the impact of how self-harm and suicide are portrayed in the media on: • individuals who self-harm or who are considering suicide • family members of individuals who self-harm or are grieving a death by suicide
• 3.3 Give examples of commonly adopted attitudes or stereotypes towards self-harm and suicide
• 3.4 Describe what effects social attitudes or stereotypes identified can have on children, young people and adults who are self-harming or considering suicide