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Non-accredited short course
Suicide prevention in the NDIS sector course online
Course overview
People with disability may experience suicidal distress in ways that are missed, misunderstood or attributed only to disability. Support workers can play an important role by noticing changes, listening without judgement and connecting people with appropriate help.
The Get My Course Suicide Prevention in the NDIS Sector short course introduces practical awareness for support workers, health workers and care workers. Explore risk factors, protective factors, warning signs and the importance of asking directly about suicide when you are concerned.
Learn the LOOK, ASK, LISTEN, KEEP SAFE and CONNECT conversation framework. The course also covers disability- and culturally responsive communication, immediate responses to risk, documentation, incident escalation, postvention and worker wellbeing.
Important
This is educational awareness training. It does not replace clinical training, crisis assessment, your organisation’s procedures or accredited programs such as safeTALK, ASIST or Mental Health First Aid.
Course objectives
- Understanding suicidal distress: Explore risk factors, protective factors and why distress may be expressed differently by people with disability.
- Recognising warning signs: Notice changes in mood, communication, self-care, routines, relationships and behaviour.
- Starting a safe conversation: Use direct, calm and compassionate language to ask about suicide.
- Responding to immediate risk: Stay present, seek emergency help when required and follow workplace escalation procedures.
- Disability- and culturally responsive support: Use the participant’s preferred communication method, allow processing time and connect with culturally appropriate services.
- Documentation and incident management: Record facts promptly and notify the appropriate people.
- Postvention and continuity: Support connection, routine, safety planning and reliable follow-up after a crisis.
- Worker wellbeing: Recognise the impact of supporting someone in distress and use supervision, debriefing and support services.
What does the Suicide Prevention in the NDIS Sector Course Pack Include?
Practical resources you can keep and use whenever needed.
Reference Guide
Revisit key information about warning signs, conversation steps, emergency responses, documentation and crisis contacts.
Workbook
Reinforce your learning and test your understanding through practical, non-graded activities.
Workplace Checklist
Prepare for safe conversations, escalation, documentation and follow-up.
Who this course is for
- Disability support workers delivering NDIS supports
- Supported Independent Living and community support workers
- Health and care workers working with NDIS participants
- Team leaders and supervisors seeking suicide prevention awareness
- Casual and agency workers in disability support settings
- People preparing to enter disability, health or care work
Course outcomes
What you will be better prepared to do
1
Recognise risk factors and protective factors relevant to participants
2
Notice warning signs of suicidal distress
3
Avoid diagnostic overshadowing and take changes seriously
4
Ask directly and compassionately about suicide
5
Listen without judgement, argument or false reassurance
6
Explain why you cannot promise secrecy when safety is at risk
7
Stay present and seek help when risk may be immediate
8
Use accessible, disability-responsive and culturally respectful communication
9
Notify supervisors and follow your organisation’s escalation process
10
Record what was said, observed and done using objective language
11
Support continuity and connection after a crisis
12
Recognise when you need debriefing, supervision or personal support
On the job
How the learning connects with everyday work
Scenario 1
Feeling trapped or a burden
A participant says they feel trapped or that others would be better off without them.
Take the statement seriously, ask directly about suicide and follow the safety and escalation process.
Scenario 2
Withdrawal from valued activities
A participant with limited speech becomes withdrawn and stops joining valued activities.
Consider possible distress, use their preferred communication method and seek guidance rather than assuming it is “just the disability.”
Scenario 3
A major loss or funding change
A participant has recently experienced a major loss or funding change.
Recognise increased vulnerability and strengthen connection, choice, support and monitoring.
Scenario 4
Disclosure with a request for secrecy
Someone discloses suicidal thoughts but asks you not to tell anyone.
Explain your duty to involve others when safety is at risk and connect them with appropriate help.
Scenario 5
Immediate danger
A participant may be in immediate danger.
Call 000, stay present and keep the environment as safe as possible while following workplace procedures.
Scenario 6
Writing a progress or incident note
You need to write a progress or incident note.
Record the person’s own words where possible, what you observed, who was present and what action was taken.
Scenario 7
Returning home after hospital discharge
A participant returns home after hospital discharge following an attempt.
Support continuity, familiar routines, connection and the collaborative safety plan.
Scenario 8
Feeling affected after a crisis
You feel affected after supporting a crisis.
Use supervision, debriefing, an Employee Assistance Program or appropriate support services.
Six simple steps
How the course works
1
Enrol online
Register for the course and start anytime.
2
Work through the lessons
Explore warning signs, conversations, immediate response and follow-up.
3
Download your Course Pack
Keep the Reference Guide, Workbook and Workplace Checklist for ongoing use.
4
Connect learning with everyday work
Consider realistic situations and safe actions within your role.
5
Complete the course requirements
Finish the required learning and any confirmed assessment activities.
6
Receive your certificate
Receive your Certificate of Completion after successfully meeting the course requirements.
How your learning is checked
- Risk and protective factors
- Warning signs, including non-verbal signs of distress
- The LOOK, ASK, LISTEN, KEEP SAFE and CONNECT framework
- Immediate responses to imminent risk
- Accessible and culturally safe communication
- Documentation and escalation responsibilities
- Postvention and worker wellbeing
What you will receive
After successfully meeting the course requirements, learners will receive a Certificate of Completion for the Get My Course Suicide Prevention in the NDIS Sector short course. You will also have your downloadable Course Pack for continued learning and workplace reference.
Certificate of Completion
Awarded once you meet all course requirements.
This is non-accredited training. The Certificate of Completion is not a nationally recognised qualification or Statement of Attainment.
Why Suicide Prevention Awareness Matters in Care Work
Support workers may notice changes in a participant’s mood, routines, communication or engagement before others do. A respectful response can help a person feel heard and connected to further support.
Suicidal distress should never be managed alone. Workers need to know how to ask directly, respond to immediate danger, involve supervisors and connect participants with crisis and clinical services.
Clear documentation, reliable follow-up and collaborative safety planning help maintain continuity after a crisis. Worker wellbeing also matters because supported, supervised workers are better placed to notice and respond to risk.
Frequently asked questions
Does asking about suicide increase risk?
No. Asking directly and compassionately does not put the idea into someone’s head. It can open an important conversation and help connect the person with support.
Do I need to be a clinician to have a conversation?
No. You do not need to be a clinician to notice warning signs, ask a clear question, listen respectfully and connect the participant with appropriate help. Clinical assessment must be completed by suitably qualified professionals.
Who is this course suitable for?
The course is designed for disability support workers, SIL workers, health and care workers, team leaders, casual staff and people preparing to work in disability or community support.
When can I start?
You can start anytime. Enrol online and begin learning when it suits you.
Is this course nationally accredited?
No. This is a non-accredited Professional Development Short Course. Successful learners receive a Certificate of Completion.
What should I do if someone is in immediate danger?
Call 000 immediately. Do not leave the person alone, stay calm, keep the environment as safe as possible and notify your supervisor or on-call manager when it is safe to do so.
What crisis services can be contacted?
In Australia, available services include Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, 13YARN on 13 92 76 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support, and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Call 000 for immediate danger to life.
Can I promise to keep suicidal thoughts secret?
No. Explain that you care about the person’s safety and must involve appropriate supports when there is a safety concern. Share information only with people who need it to help keep the person safe.
How should I communicate with a participant who has disability or communication needs?
Use plain language, allow processing time and follow the person’s preferred communication method, such as AAC, Auslan, visual supports or another established approach.
What if distress is shown through behaviour rather than words?
Take changes seriously. Increased self-injury, withdrawal, refusal of food or medication or distress during familiar activities may indicate a concern. Consult the participant, supervisor and support network as appropriate.
Should a suicide-related incident be reported?
Follow your organisation’s incident process. Some events may meet the NDIS reportable incident requirements, and the registered provider is responsible for external notification. Your role is to respond safely, document accurately and notify the provider promptly.
What should documentation include?
Record what was said or observed, when and where it occurred, who was present, actions taken, who was notified and any follow-up required. Avoid speculation, diagnosis and judgemental language.
What support is available after a crisis?
Support continuity, familiar relationships, routines, meaningful activity and the participant’s collaborative safety plan. Follow clinical advice and your organisation’s post-incident procedures.
Can I keep the course resources?
Yes. Download the Reference Guide, Workbook and Workplace Checklist and keep them for future reference alongside current safety plans and workplace procedures.
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