Wolves have committed to doing something different when it comes to suicide prevention and mental wellbeing and have laid on special awareness training in the local community.
Staff and members of the community have taken part in the club’s Suicide Awareness Training, delivered in partnership with Samaritans and Wolves Foundation, and now more people are invited to join the next session, so it’s time to spread the world to family, friends and supporters.
Why attend?
Suicide prevention is not about having all the answers, it’s about recognising when someone may be struggling, feeling confident enough to start a conversation and knowing how to listen without judgement.
The training provides practical skills that can help anyone support a friend, family member, colleague or fellow supporter who may be experiencing emotional distress.
Attendees learn:
How to have supportive conversations about mental health and suicide.
Why asking someone about suicide can help save lives.
The importance of active listening and empathy.
How to recognise when someone may need support.
Ways to signpost people to appropriate help and resources.
How small conversations can make a big difference.
Above all, the session reinforces the simple but powerful message behind our ‘Ow Am Ya?’ campaign: sometimes three words can start a conversation that changes a life.
What previous attendees said
The feedback from previous sessions has been overwhelmingly positive.
100% felt more confident supporting someone experiencing mental health difficulties.
100% said they would feel comfortable asking someone about suicide if they were concerned.
91% felt more comfortable discussing their own feelings around suicide with family and friends.
94% would attend a future refresher session.
100% agreed the training was valuable, engaging and thought-provoking.
Many attendees highlighted how empowered they felt after attending:
“Active listening. Encourage conversation. Be brave to ask other people how they are.”
“Listening is the most powerful thing we can do.”
“I have felt unable to help anyone in these situations before, and now I feel that I can at least try to help, just by listening.”
“An eye-opening session everyone needs to attend.”
“Well organised and impactful. The videos really help get the message across. Suicide affects everyone.”
Impact in action
One supporter who attended the training later shared this experience: “We were in London at the weekend. There was a lady on her own who looked a bit down. I said, ‘Ow Am Ya?’ and she looked up at me, so I asked if she needed a hug. She broke down. I listened. We ended up laughing. It made my weekend that I’d already put this to use. There is a reason I love this club so much.”
This story perfectly captures what the training is all about. Not becoming an expert. Not having all the answers. Simply having the confidence to reach out, listen and remind someone that they are not alone.
Join us
Together, we can continue to break down stigma, encourage conversations and help create a culture where people feel able to ask for help. Book your place now and please share this opportunity with others.
More information please email lisacarter@wolves.co.uk.
Follow: @premierleague | #TogetherAgainstSuicide