Blended Learning Programme

QQI Level 7 Certificate in Suicide Postvention

The aim of this Minor Award is to support practitioners who are dealing with those bereaved by suicide

  • Award: This programme is a Minor Award validated by QQI at Level 7 on the NFQ

  • Cost: €720.00

    • A deposit of €225 can be paid to secure your place on this course, with the balance due before the course commences (payment plans are also available)
  • Attendance Options:

    • Block Option starting 15th February 2025
  • Who should apply: This certificate is designed for those who work therapeutically with clients and wish to increase their knowledge, skills, and competencies in the area of bereavement following a suicide. It will be of interest to therapists, social workers, nurse practitioners, addiction workers, youth workers, social care workers etc. When applying please state in the ‘personal statement’ on the application form that you are only interested in doing the Suicide Postvention Module.

  • Language Requirements: Language Requirements: If English is your second language you are required to submit an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) cert at Level 6.5, or equivalent. For more information please click HERE.
  • Apply Online: Click here to apply

Introduction

This programme consists of one 10 ECTS module that is conferred as a minor award. It is designed to allow learners to understand the complex nature of suicide bereavement and the psychological havoc that is created in the lives of suicide survivors. It will also introduce the learners to a range of individual and group interventions to help facilitate the healing process. Learners on this programme will engage in teaching, discussion and engagement with key scientific literature related to the post-suicide landscape, the key principles of intervening with this client group and the therapeutic resources and responses that are appropriate.

Entry Requirements

Learners who enrol in this programme will be professionals who will be professionals who work clinically and therapeutically with clients who may be experiencing bereavement through suicide, and who wish to undertake a shorter programme to enhance their knowledge, skills and competence in the area of working with survivors of suicide. Learners must have a clinical qualification that allows them to work therapeutically with clients. This programme will be ideal for qualified practitioners to utilise for continuing professional development specific to the area of suicide postvention. Please contact us if you have any queries about entry requirements.

Minimum Technological Requirements

You will need to have:

  • Appropriate broadband to be able to upload and download;
  • A desktop computer or laptop that is capable of using zoom;
  • A webcam and microphone;
  • A web browser; and
  • Word processing package

Student Benefits and Supports

As this award is conferred at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), it evidences the rigour required for a quality programme of learning. The dynamic mix of theory, skills, and clinical considerations ensures learners grow academically, professionally, personally and interpersonally within frameworks that are on the cutting edge of best practice. Learners on this programme will have access to:

  • Our Moodle Platform
  • Our EBSCO Journal Database
  • Our e-Book Collection
  • Our Psychotherapy.net Video Streaming Collection

Dates

Date Time Location
Saturday 15/02/2025 2:00pm-5:00pm Online
Sunday 16/02/2025 9:00am-5:00pm Online
Saturday 24/05/2025 9:00am-5:00pm Classroom
Sunday 25/05/2025 9:00am-1:00pm Classroom

Who Should Apply

This certificate is designed for professionals working therapeutically with clients who wish to increase their knowledge, skills, and competencies in the area of bereavement following a suicide. It will be of interest to therapists, social workers, nurse practitioners, addiction workers, youth workers, social care workers etc. Applicants must have prior professional knowledge, training and/or experience working with bereavement loss and grief issues. When applying please state in the ‘personal statement’ on the application form that you are only interested in doing the Suicide Postvention Module.

Cost

  • €720.00
  • A €225.00 deposit can be paid to secure your place on this course, with the balance due before the course commences.

Course Content

The purpose of this minor award is to help the learner understand the complex nature of suicide bereavement and the psychological havoc that is created in the lives of suicide survivors. It will also introduce the learners to a range of individual and group interventions to help facilitate the healing process.

While many programmes include some input on bereavement, grief and loss, there is a need, when working with suicide survivors, for a deeper appreciation of the complicated psychological distress and emotional problems that emerge in the wake of suicide. This distress is not confined to the families, friends and loved ones of the deceased but also impacts profoundly on therapists, health care professionals, first responders and communities, in some cases resulting in early exits from their chosen profession.

This Minor Award will help learners to understand and to examine the nature of suicide bereavement and will equip them to support suicide survivors, their families and communities in their healing journey. It will also help them recognize and understand their own often disenfranchised grief and strengthen their personal and professional resources for working in this area.

Assessment

Role Play (20%)
Learners will complete a short role play demonstrating ability to apply appropriate skills and clinical decision making, and demonstrate professionalism, competence and confidence in their simulated interaction.

Essay (80%)
Learners will write a 2,500 word, online resource for a professional readership that focuses on therapeutic work with clients presenting with suicide postvention issues.

The work must include:

  • A description of the needs of suicide survivors.
  • A critique the clinical and theoretical literature in a range of disciplines, including Integrative psychotherapy, other psychotherapeutic modalities, psychology, psychiatry and social work in the area of Suicide Postvention.
  • The key principles of suicide postvention.
  • A description of the Cognitive, Somatic, Emotional and Behavioural impact of suicide on suicide survivors.
  • A description and evaluation of a range of individual and group approaches to supporting healing with suicide survivors.
  • A description and evaluation of the impact of client suicide bereavement on families, communities and those in the health care professions
  • An evaluation of a range of resources and supports available in the area of suicide postvention

Venue

  • IICP College, Killinarden Enterprise Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24 [For classroom inputs]
  • Online via Moodle & Zoom [For online inputs]
  • Click here for map and directions
  • This programme will be delivered in a blended learning formatting including both classroom and online inputs.

Getting Started

Applications to this course are done online using the link below. If you have any queries, please contact the office on 01 4664205 or 087-9055330.

Simply click the below button to be brought to our online application process. When prompted, please select ‘Validated & Accredited Courses’, then select ‘QQI Level 7 Certificate in Suicide Postvention’ option that suit you best and complete the form.

Online Application Form

If you have any trouble at any stage of the application please click here to get in touch and we will be happy to help.

Why attend this Level 7 Minor Award in Suicide Postvention?

  • This will be of interest to professionals who encounter clients/patients who have been bereaved through suicide

  • Excellent facilitators – creative, engaging, knowledgeable and dynamics

  • Considers both theoretical and clinical perspectives

  • Will support learners in becoming better equipped to deal with the traumatic and complicated grief that follows the death of a loved one through suicide

About the Programme Facilitators

Dr. Linda Finnegan
Dr. Linda FinneganModule Lecturer
Linda is a Principal Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist with many years’ experience working in adult mental health and specifically working with individuals and groups bereaved by suicide. She has trained in Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Behavioural Psychology, Integrative and Humanistic Psychotherapy and Body Psychotherapy and is co-author with Christy of ‘Say Yes to Life’; Discover your Pathways to Happiness and Well-Being.
Christy Kenneally
Christy KenneallyModule Lecturer
Christy Kenneally is a Communications Consultant, International Lecturer and Keynote Speaker with specialist expertise in the areas of Bereavement & Loss, Suicide Prevention and Postvention, Building Resilience and Effective Communication. He is also a Published Author, Scriptwriter for Television and Video, with over 35 years experience working within Ireland and Internationally.

Christy has worked tirelessly over the last three decades in the areas of Bereavement and Loss, Cancer Support and Positive Mental Health with organisations such as, Living Links, The Samaritans, A Little Lifetime Foundation, Accord, The Hospice Foundation, Bethany Bereavement Groups, The Irish Heart Foundation, & The Irish Cancer Society.

He has published five novels, four books of poetry, three autobiographical works and two non-fiction books, ‘Life after Loss’, a guide for those working with the bereaved and ‘Say Yes to Life, Discover your Pathways to Happiness and Well-Being’ a self-help programme for overcoming depression and anxiety which he co-wrote with his wife Dr. Linda Finnegan, Principal Clinical Psychologist.

Christy has worked extensively in the area of Corporate Communication both nationally and internationally and is well known for his television series, ‘Heaven on Earth’ and the ‘The Lost Gods’ which is six-part documentary series on the religions of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Maya, Inca and Celts.