Why it matters: The Understanding Suicide Prevention: Working-Aged Men course aims to equip public and private sector businesses with skills to recognise when male employees may be experiencing a mental health crisis and provide them with tools to offer support.
The details: The course, funded by Public Health England, will teach businesses how to spot warning signs men may project during mental health crises and provide ways to start conversations around the topic.
It will also equip businesses with tools to create effective safety plans, apply British Standards Institute guidelines and provide support to meet individual needs.
What they're saying: Ezra Hewing, head of mental health education at Suffolk Mind, said: "We know distress can present itself in many different ways for men – this could be them being quiet, distant or even the opposite. That can make it difficult to know when someone might be experiencing mental ill health, so it's really important we equip people with the knowledge to spot the warning signs.
"That's exactly what these sessions will aim to provide, along with information on how to create effective safety plans and direct people to the support they may need."
For context: Suffolk Mind has been delivering mental health training to businesses through its training arm, The Mental Health Toolkit, since its launch in 2021. It has since provided training to thousands of employees across the UK, with local partners including Sizewell C, Treatt and Suffolk Building Society.
What's next: Businesses can access the course through four in-person sessions across Suffolk – starting in Stowmarket on 2 December 2024, before later workshops in Melton on 30 January 2026 and Ipswich on 10 February 2026. Another event will also be held in Bury St Edmunds in March 2026.
The bottom line: Suffolk businesses now have free access to training that could help save lives by equipping staff with the skills to identify and support male colleagues experiencing mental health crises.
Information on how to sign up can be found at www.suffolkmind.org.uk/uspwam or by emailing workplacewellbeing@suffolkmind.org.uk.
