Saving Lives Through SafeTALK Training at Dover Court

At Dover Court, we understand that wellbeing is the foundation for success. We are committed to prioritising the wellbeing of our students, ensuring they feel safe both physically and emotionally within our community. Recently, Dover Court International School Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead Jacqueline Glazerman, along with Counsellor Melanie Lyons, facilitated LivingWorks safeTALK training for volunteers from parents and Sixth Form students, with plans to continue offering further training every term.

This training programme provides participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognise when someone might be experiencing thoughts of suicide. The “safe” in safeTALK stands for “suicide alertness for everyone,” and the TALK acronym guides participants through the steps: “Tell”, “Ask”, “Listen”, and “Keep Safe”. Participants learn how to approach these sensitive topics and connect those in need with trained professionals who can provide help.

"As educators, we recognise that our role extends beyond teaching academic skills and knowledge. Increasingly, school staff worldwide are taking on unofficial roles as psychologists and social workers. As our responsibilities for safeguarding continue to grow, we must think creatively about how to enhance our school community's capacity to support our students' mental health," stated Jacqueline Glazerman, Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead of Dover Court International School.

Research from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that globally, one in seven individuals aged 10-19 experiences a mental health illness or disorder. Depression and anxiety are among the leading causes of illness among adolescents, and suicide is the third leading cause of death for those aged 15 - 29 years.

Key Stage 4 (Years 9 to 11) and Sixth Form students at Dover Court have pointed out that they are more likely to discuss mental health concerns with their peers rather than approaching an adult. This highlights the necessity of empowering students with the skills they need to support one another.

The training aims to help participants recognise the signs that someone may be contemplating suicide and to effectively connect them with appropriate support. It empowers everyone to make a positive impact by building their confidence to ask the critical question: “Are you thinking of suicide?”

The most powerful part of this training is that it’s transferable and it saves lives. What is learned in this training goes beyond keeping our young people safe in schools—it's about creating suicide-safe communities, reducing the stigma and taboo around suicide, and ensuring that individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts are connected to the help they need.

We extend huge congratulations to our first cohort of student and parent volunteers who have successfully completed their safeTALK training. We are proud of our community's progress and commitment to mental health awareness and support.