Understanding self-harm and suicide: Research evidence and insights

Self-harm and suicide are a critical public health concern, with over 720,000 people across the World taking their own lives each year.

The Welsh Government recognises suicide prevention as a major priority, highlighting the need to develop a workforce and training plan for relevant service staff.

With this in mind, this blended module has been designed to develop awareness and understanding of self-harm and suicide.

This module is the only Level 7 programme in Wales that is designed specifically to upskill awareness, understanding and communication related to suicide and self-harm. It focuses on developing your effective communication skills and critically evaluating existing interventions, while deepening your understanding of how research into self-harm and suicide is conducted.

65% of content is delivered online, with 35% taking place in person. Online learning includes 9 recorded lectures, released in 4 blocks, and 6 live seminars that take place on Microsoft Teams. The online activities run across weeks 1–6, with a break in week 7 to work on your first assessment, followed by the in-person component; a 2-day research methods workshop, held in week 8. The full programme content and structure is listed below.

As a short course, this module offers flexible, targeted professional development that is accessible to working professionals, while maintaining the academic rigour expected at Level 7.

Please note: there will be signposting to support available throughout this module, for any individuals who find the topics and content challenging or emotive.

Key Course Details

Programme Benefits

• Enhance your awareness and understanding of the psychological, social and biological determinants of suicidal and self-harming experiences
• Develop and refine your communication strategies for engaging individuals who are experiencing suicidality or self-harm, while tailoring your approach to the diverse needs of at-risk populations
• Evaluate the effectiveness, limitations and ethical considerations of suicide prevention, through intervention and postvention strategies across clinical, community and policy settings, using all of these to influence your own practice
• Develop your understanding of different research methods, and how these can be used to further research into the prevention of suicide and self-harm
• Build your confidence by taking part in collaborative learning, developing effective communication with colleagues, researchers, and those who experience self-harm and suicide

This course is designed for...

Self-harm and suicide represent significant and widespread public health issues, with substantial and ongoing impacts across health care, as well as many other sectors and services. As individuals experiencing suicidal distress may come into contact with a wide range of professionals, the programme has been designed to be inclusive and useful across a range of roles, including:

• Health and social care professionals
• Medical professionals
• Third sector employees
• Anyone wishing to upskill their understanding of suicide and self-harm

This course is delivered by...

The module has been designed, and will be delivered, by internationally recognised experts in the field of self-harm and suicide, with direct input from the National Centre of Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Research, and the Centre’s lived experience advisory group. This approach ensures that your learning is academically robust, ethically grounded, and informed by real-world perspectives.

Participants will need to have been awarded an undergraduate degree, and due to the in-person elements required for the programme, will need to be located in the UK.

Applications should be submitted online.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. Our diverse and welcoming community thrives on exploration and discovery, with a balance of excellent teaching and research, alongside a superb quality of life. Students who study with us enjoy, are inspired and they achieve – having a greater chance of securing excellent employment prospects.

Our multicultural community provides a global perspective, enabling those who join us - in person or remotely - to develop skills and knowledge that set them up for successful and enriching careers.