The workshop aims to create a supportive space for members of staff to enhance their confidence and competence in addressing student well-being. The session provides participants with information and guidance to recognise signs of students' distress and respond effectively when approached by students seeking support. Participants will learn essential interpersonal techniques to foster a compassionate and professional approach to these sensitive situations.

The session includes practical scenarios that reflect common challenges staff may encounter, providing opportunities for discussion and hands-on practice in small groups. The workshop will also highlight existing resources, including the Supporting Suicidal and/or Severely Distressed Students: Staff Guidelines and related training offered by the Office for Human Resources Management & Development. Additionally, participants will gain insight into the services offered by the Health and Wellness Centre, available to University students and staff.

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

• identify the signs of students in distress and distinguish between those who need guidance and those who require professional help;
• identify effective strategies to approach and start a conversation with a distressed student;
• identify additional resources and services related to supporting distressed students.

This training is designed to equip University of Malta staff with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to identify and support students in distress, particularly those who may be at risk of suicide or experiencing severe emotional challenges. The course is based on the University of Malta Staff Guidelines: Supporting Suicidal and/or Severely Distressed Students and serves as a key resource throughout the training.

Participants will gain confidence in recognising warning signs, engaging sensitively with at-risk students, and taking appropriate steps to ensure their safety, including seeking timely professional intervention.

The course is interactive, employing a range of teaching methods and practical tools that staff can easily apply in real-life situations, while interacting with colleagues or students. The training is delivered over two sessions, each lasting three hours. Attendance at both the training session and the accompanying workshop is required to successfully complete the programme.

All participants will receive relevant training materials and a certificate of attendance upon completion.

Topics covered:

• Introduction and Overview;
• Common misconceptions;
• Risk factors for suicide in university students;
• Recognising signs of suicidal ideation or severe emotional distress in students or colleagues;
• Biological, psychological, and social processes related to distress and suicidality;
• How to talk about suicide: effective and sensitive communication strategies;
• Assessing levels of risk;
• Creating and implementing a safety plan;
• Directing students and staff for professional help;
• Overview of the “Supporting Suicidal and/or Severely Distressed Students" booklet;
• Understanding the role of Counselling Services professionals at the Health and Wellness Centre;
• Practical tips for staff self-care

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Identify students and staff who may be at risk of suicide or experiencing severe distress;
• Recognise and challenge common myths and misconceptions related to suicide;
• Detect early warning signs and behavioural changes that may indicate emotional or psychological distress;
• Understand the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to suicidal thoughts and severe emotional distress;
• Engage in supportive conversations with individuals in distress and guide them towards appropriate professional help;
• Gain familiarity with the services and interventions provided by the Health and Wellness Centre.

This follow-up training workshop builds upon the foundational workshop Supporting Suicidal and Severely Distressed Students, with a specific focus on strengthening staff members’ interpersonal communication skills when supporting students in distress.

The aim of the workshop is to equip participants with practical tools—such as active listening and empathetic communication—to confidently and sensitively engage with students experiencing severe emotional distress. The training also helps staff distinguish between emergency situations requiring immediate crisis intervention and non-urgent scenarios where concern exists but no immediate risk is present.

The session is divided into two parts:

1. Guidelines Overview delivered by Dr Marta Sant, who will walk participants through the University of Malta Staff Guidelines: Supporting Suicidal and/or Severely Distressed Students, followed by an opportunity for discussion and questions.

2. Interactive Presentation led by Ms Charmaine Mifsud Cardona, focusing on core active listening techniques and practical strategies for guiding distressed students toward appropriate professional support.

This workshop provides a safe and supportive learning environment where staff can deepen their understanding, ask questions, and practise applying communication strategies in a university context.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Apply basic interpersonal communication skills, particularly active listening, when engaging with distressed students;
• Approach and speak with students in distress in a calm, supportive, and non-judgmental manner;
• Distinguish between crisis situations requiring immediate intervention and those that allow for planned support and guidance;
• Empower students to seek professional help by using effective, compassionate communication;
• Demonstrate familiarity with the Supporting Suicidal and/or Severely Distressed Students staff guidelines;
• Understand the appropriate steps to take in both urgent and non-urgent situations, in line with university protocols.

This training provides Junior College staff with tools to assess the risk of suicide in Junior College
students and colleagues and provide them with safe and reliable intervention. The workshop is
interactive and the training entails a variety of teaching styles and tools. Each participant will
receive relevant material and a certificate of attendance. The training course will use the Junior
College Supporting suicidal and/or distressed students/staff guidelines.

The following topics will be covered:

• Risk factors for suicide in students;
• Common misconceptions;
• Spotting a suicidal student or colleague;
• Main signs of suicide and distress
• Learning about the biological, psychological and social processes involved when a person is suicidal and/or distressed;
• Talking about suicide – what to do and what not to do;
• Assessing the level of risk;
• Creating a safety plan;
• Directing students and staff/colleagues to get help;
• Familiarity and support to understand the interventions carried out by the Counselling Service within Junior College;
• Tips for self-care.

By the end of this training participants will:

• identify students and staff at risk of suicide and distress;
• debunk common myths related to suicide;
• recognise early warning signs and behavioural changes associated with suicide and distress;
• explain the biological, psychological, and social processes involved in suicidal thoughts and
  distress;
• engage in supportive conversations with suicidal students and refer them to appropriate help;
• describe the interventions provided by counselling professionals at the Junior College
  Counselling Service.

This training builds on the training Supporting Suicidal and Severely Distressed Students, offering Junior College staff practical interpersonal communication skills to support students experiencing severe distress. Participants will learn and practice approaches to initiating conversations with students in distress, with particular attention to the fact that Junior College students are minors. The workshop will cover key techniques for engaging with suicidal or severely distressed students and empowering them to seek professional help.

By the end of this training participants will be able to:

• apply effective interpersonal communication techniques when supporting students in distress;
• demonstrate strategies for approaching and engaging in conversations with distressed or suicidal students;
• encourage students to seek professional support while maintaining appropriate boundaries.