Our suicide prevention workshops with Papyrus

As part of the University’s Suicide Prevention and Response Plan, we've been sharing monthly blogs to highlight the myths around suicide, the signs that someone is feeling suicidal and how to start a conversation with them, and the wellbeing support available through the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service for students who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or supporting their friends with them.

We are now excited to announce the University has partnered with Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide) to deliver free suicide prevention workshops across our campuses. The aim is to increase awareness of suicide prevention and create a suicide-safer community, empowering students to have potentially lifesaving conversations and to support one another. We hope students will feel able to talk openly about how they are feeling and access the help and support available through the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service.

The Papyrus workshops will cover the following topics:

• understanding the prevalence and impact of suicide
• exploring the language and the challenges when talking openly about suicide
• recognising the signs that may indicate someone is having thoughts of suicide
• considering how we can all contribute to a suicide-safer community

The workshops will be delivered on these dates:

Loughton Campus (online)

• Friday 21 April, 6.15pm–7:45pm (book)

Colchester Campus

• Monday 24 April, 11.00am–12.30pm (book)
• Wednesday 26 April, 2.00pm–3.30pm (book)
• Friday 28 April, 2.00pm–3.30pm (book)

Southend Campus

• Friday 28 April, 2.00pm–3.30pm (book)

If the workshop you would like to attend is fully booked, please email studentsupport@essex.ac.uk to register your interest for future events.

We hope that all students will take advantage of this fantastic opportunity and book on at their earliest convenience. For any questions, please email studentsupport@essex.ac.uk.

Getting support now

If you are experiencing thoughts of harming yourself, or concerned for someone you know, you can call Papyrus on 0800 068 4141, or Samaritans on 116 123, for confidential advice and support.

If you need a friendly chat about how you’re feeling and the support available to you at the University, come and speak with the Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service (SWIS). You can contact SWIS either by email at wellbeing@essex.ac.uk, or by coming to the Wellbeing Drop-In service.

During evenings and weekends, you can contact the 24-hour Student Wellbeing Support Line on 0800 970 5020. You can also access our SilverCloud and Togetherall online support programmes at any time.