PASS delivers evidence-based training and CPD on the safe and responsible use of Social Media in the Aftermath of a Suicide.
News of a death by suicide explodes like a bomb on social media, the impact of which can be felt around the world. Emerging research has shown that activity very often prompts multiple users to respond, rapidly sharing posts and ruminating publicly about the nature and reasons for the death (Bell and Westoby, 2021). Our work has established that news of a suicide spreads rapidly via social media, increasing the number of those exposed and affected exponentially. Important positive and negative effects arise from this. The ways in which people post, comment and respond about a death by suicide in this way impacts suicide contagion and has the potential to complicate grief. Young people in particular are susceptible to this. Our work also established that social media can be harnessed to manage trauma and alleviate grief.
Our training is aimed at professionals and practitioners who work in services supporting those affected by suicide. This may include public health, coroners, media professionals, emergency responders, mental health professionals, social workers, funeral directors, pastoral care providers from schools, colleges and Universities, bereavement services, 3rd sector and voluntary organisations.
Attendees will take away new evidence-based knowledge of:
- The uniqueness of suicide bereavement
- The harmful and protective effects of social media use in the aftermath of a suicide
- How social media use can be harnessed to manage trauma, alleviate grief and reach those who need support
- Guidance and recommendations for prevention policy and practice (including developing media strategies)
Continuing Professional Development: Webinar attendees will come away with recommendations and guidance for practice on how to mitigate against harmful effects and promote positive effects of social media use following a suicide.
Our Training & CPD Packages
If you have a large number of people who require training specifically for your organisation, tailored and bespoke sessions are also available. Please feel free to contact us directly to discuss this.
Our 60 minute webinars offer shorter training presentations where we share our knowledge and summarised key points of information on Safe and Responsible use of Social Media in the Aftermath of a Suicide. Those who attend will come away equipped with new knowledge and recommendations and guidance for practice on how to mitigate against harmful effects and promote positive effects of social media use following a suicide.
Cost: FREE
Workshops
20th May 2024 : 10.30-11.30am BOOK NOW
5th June 2024 : 4.00-5.00pm BOOK NOW
27th June 2024 : 10.30-11.30am BOOK NOW
The workshops build on our own internationally recognised body of work at the intersection of postvention practice and digital media in the aftermath of a suicide. Professionals will take away new evidence-based knowledge, enabling them to change their policy and practice in ways that reduce the risk of increased stress and further suicides and promote recovery of the affected community. This in turn will assist the bereaved and others in the community, contributing to the prevention of further suicides.
The workshops are designed to bring together professionals from a variety of settings and perspectives to work towards a single goal. We use real-life (anonymised) case studies and discussion as well as research evidence and theory and our own expertise on suicide prevention including lived experience. Our workshops may be particularly valuable for those who work in a multi-agency context. Previous attendees have commented that the opportunity to network with others from different professional backgrounds has proved to be very insightful. Please see the ‘testimonials’ to find out what attendees from previous workshops have said.
Attendees will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance from the University of Hull and will come away with recommendations and guidance for practice on how to mitigate against harmful effects and promote positive effects of social media use following a suicide.
The cost for face-to-face workshops (9.30am – 1.30pm), including lunch, is £120
Places are limited to 20 people per workshop
Workshops
NEW DATES COMING SOON Contact us for more information
We realise that not everyone can get to Hull. Our online workshops offer an interactive workshop experience for those who are unable to attend in person. Attendees will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance from the University of Hull, and will come away with recommendations and guidance for practice on how to mitigate against harmful effects and promote positive effects of social media use following a suicide.
The cost for interactive online workshops (3 hours long) is £60
Places are limited to 20 people per workshop
Workshops
NEW DATES COMING SOON Contact us for more information
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What did you find most useful about the workshop?
“Different insights and perspectives in particular those with lived experience – very valuable to hear and very much appreciated.”
“Very informative, covering a broad range of aspects in detail; The variety of people on the course gives a large perspective on what needs to be changed / implemented and what is working in their organisations.”
“Being able to consolidate some of our experiences with what research shows and being able to hear other people’s experiences.”
“To be able to plan for an event rather than react to one.”
“How to deal with social media – in relation to positive posting. To think and more mindful of the contagion of suicide.”
“Helped me further my understanding of social media use after a suicide which will help me help people in our service better.”
“Practical insight to share with survivors of suicide, such as how some find ‘memorialising’ of social media pages valuable and helpful. Increased awareness of different effects of social media on vulnerable people.”
“How much impact that a single suicide can have and the role of the media.”
“I have learnt more about the ‘fear’ surrounding suicide, I have a deeper understanding and a better perspective of an event.”
"Learning about the effects of social media has helped to inform my practice.”
“I feel more prepared should the worst happen following the training”
Our Team
Dr Jo Bell
Reader in Psychology and Social work in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Hull
Katie Cunnah
Chartered Psychologist & Research Tutor, Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programme, University of Hull
Jo Kent
Suicide Prevention Lead, Bloom Training and Consultancy
Carol Lavelle
Humber Coast and Vale Suicide Prevention Steering Group (lived experience lead)
Dr Chris Westoby
Lecturer in Creative Writing, Faculty of Arts, Culture and Education, University of Hull
What do you feel you have learned as a result of the workshop?
"Helped me further my understanding of social media use after a suicide which will help me help people in our service better. The positives and negatives that social media/press can bring to the concept of suicide."
"Firmer understanding of the impact of social media impacts of suicide prevention."
"I feel I definitely have more empathy for individuals’ situations and the issues close family/friends face after losing someone to suicide."
"It has given me a greater awareness of how social media can be helpful but also how quickly news can spread and how this can be damaging especially if the family have not been officially made aware."
"Practical insight to share with survivors of suicide, such as how some find ‘memorialising’ of social media pages valuable and helpful. Increased awareness of different effects of social media on vulnerable people."
Contact Us
Dr Jo Bell
Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Hull
Hull
HU6 7RX
United Kingdom
01482 464687
Dr Chris Westoby
Faculty of Arts, Culture and Education
University of Hull
Hull
HU6 7RX
United Kingdom
01482 465955