A training programme which aims to help teachers identify students who may be suicidal is being held by the bereavement charity, Console, later this month.

According to Console CEO, Paul Kelly, a range of complex problems can lead to suicidal ideation in secondary school and college students such as bullying, exam stress and social media harassment.

The aim of this course is ‘to enable teachers, lecturers and others in education to identify the warning signs of students at risk and give them the skills they need to respond effectively'.

The training programme will be based on recognised suicide prevention training known as QPR - question, persuade and refer.

"Just as people trained in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognise the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone to help.

"This QPR training involves helping teachers to recognise and respond to suicide warning signs that may appear in a student's behaviour or conversation, in their work, or in their texts and social media communications," Mr Kelly explained.

He said that those attending the programme will ‘gain an insight into suicidal behaviour and how to spot distress signals that a student may be in crisis'.

"They will learn what to do if they are concerned and how to refer someone for help," he noted.

The course takes place on Friday, April 17, from 10am to 1pm, in the Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham, Dublin. It costs €50 and places are limited, so booking is necessary. To book, call Console on (01) 627 4347.

Console offers counseling services and a 24-hour helpline for anyone considering suicide or anyone bereaved by suicide. For more information, call 1800 247 247 free of charge or click here