The Pub Whisperer's SPEAK UP When You See The SIGNS Training:
An Addendum to the Black Dog Institute's Recognise and Respond Suicide Prevention Program

If you have made your way here you have completed, or are about to complete, the Blackdog Institute’s online Recognise and Respond Suicide Prevention Program.

As you are most likely a publican, a bar or a gaming staff member, security guard or are within the ranks of pub management, there are a few more key things to remember in order to earn yourself the title of Pub Whisperer.

As a Pub Whisperer you are part of The Whisperer Team and are trained to have TRICKY conversations around suicide.

TRICKY is an acronym for The Whisperer Team’s code of conduct.

Adhering to the following values when engaging with someone who is displaying thoughts of suicide in a pub:
Trust
Respect
Integrity
Confidentiality
Kindness
Your good self

These values are at the heart of being a Whisperer.

The suicide statistics around the world show that one person dies of suicide every 40 seconds. A major factor in this stat is connection – or a lack there of it.

A Pub Whisperer can “spark a quiet conversation” to get someone suffering with suicide ideation to a place of safety.

We are proud to offer Blackdog Institute’s online suicide prevention program Recognise and Respond to give Whisperers the insight needed to assist family, friends and colleagues.

The following information details the steps needed to be adhered to when in a pub setting with patrons.

As a grassroots organisation, along with Blackdog Institute, we realise it’s not a clinical approach to suicide prevention that’s needed. It’s a personal one.

Because suicide affects all of us in all corners of society.

Sometimes, as a society, we like to pretend it’s not there, which makes suicide what we’ve coined a “silent death”.

The Whisperer Team believes Quiet Conversations Prevent Silent Deaths and these conversations can be had at any time, by anyone, anywhere. Especially in the pub.

The stats tell us that around the world up to 69% of suicides have alcohol in their system.a (From a review conducted by Cherpitel, Borges and Wilcox).

And that 1 of every 9 deaths a day (on average) lost to suicide in Australia, is related to a gambling addiction. (Suicide Prevention Australia Report 2022).

For every life tragically lost to suicide, at least 100 people in the community feel it’s heart wrenching affects.

So, when recognising warning signs, reaching out to someone and having a quiet conversation could save their life.

And how do we do this? By recognising the SIGNS and responding accordingly - with knowledge, courage, empathy, action and the willingness to follow up on someone’s welfare.

*Knowledge of what to look for, say and do when someone is presenting with signs of suicidal ideation.
*Courage to approach and speak to patrons when they’re showing signs of suicide ideation.
*Empathy to actively listen and understand that they are not at their best and that they need support.
*Action, to get them to a place of safety by bringing in loved ones to talk to them or by calling a helpline to ensure they are not a risk when they’re out of sight or to speak to emergency services if they have made a suicide plan already.
*Follow Up, a call from a staff member of the pub, a day later after an intervention, will ensure there is a connection made and they feel valued.

As a Pub Whisperer it is your task to create improved connection in the community and show you care.

It’s time to SPEAK UP at the pub and save lives.
This easy to remember acronym will assist a Pub Whisperer in ways of saving a life.
SPEAK UP stands for:

Scan a person for SIGNS of suicide ideation.
Prioritise them for at least 5 minutes
Engage them in conversation
Ask if they’re ok. If they’re not, have the courage to ask “are you considering suicide?”
Keep your word that any personal details of the conversation will be kept confidential
Understand they may be emotional with the sensitive information they may feel called to share. Listen, don't fix or offer advice not related to getting them immediate support.
Put them in touch with loved ones and crisis help lines.

But remember, if they have already prepared a plan to end their life, it is important to reach out for emergency assistance and get them to an emergency department.

SIGNS of suicide ideation include:
Self defeated– saying things like "I have nothing going for me", "I can't put food on the table", "everyone would be better off without me"
Isolating – ignoring people, not connecting with others
Grim looking – appears sad and miserable
Nasty – displaying angry behaviour
Shouting everyone drinks for no reason (manic behaviour/over happy/erratic behaviour)

Don’t miss the SIGNS. SPEAK UP and save a life.

FINAL THINGS TO REMEMBER
*You don’t have to be going through the same thing to be an accepting and non-judgmental mate. Just be willing to learn and listen and get them to the right support if they need it.
*Remember, focus on their behaviour (the SIGNS) as a way to broach the TRICKY conversation. (e.g. you look like you’re having a rough day, are you ok? etc)
*Listen empathetically to their frustrations and problems. It’s ok to not have all the answers. The goal is to help your patron feeling heard and respected.
*Don’t provide solutions, apart from encouraging hope or further connection – from a friend, family member, colleague or someone in the community they trust – and then getting them in touch with a suicide prevention helpline.
*And of course, keep yourself safe.

Before you dive in and make an intervention, ask yourself:
Am I in a good headspace?
Am I willing to genuinely listen?
Can I give as much time as needed (at least 5 minutes)?

Together let’s make a difference in someone’s life before it’s too late.
DOWNLOAD THE 3 X A4 PDF'S BELOW - PRINT THEM OUT AND PLACE THEM SOMEWHERE PROMINENT SO THAT YOUR BAR AND GAMING STAFF ARE ABLE TO QUICKLY REMIND THEMSELVES OF HOW TO SEE THE SIGNS, SPEAK UP AND HAVE A TRICKY CONVERSATION AROUND SUICIDE.