Official guides / Student support & services
safeTALK – suicide prevention
Monash University
Last checked: 25 Oct 2026 UTCWhat this page covers
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Building a suicide-alert community
safeTALK is a half-day alertness workshop that prepares anyone, regardless of experience or training, to become a suicide-alert helper. Most people with thoughts of suicide don't truly want to die, but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive. safeTALK-trained helpers can recognise these invitations and take action by connecting them with life-saving mental health support.
Aims of the program
The training runs for three and a half hours and you will learn how to:
- notice and respond to situations where thoughts of suicide may be present
- provide practical help by using the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep safe)
- act quickly to connect the person with someone trained in suicide intervention
- contribute to building a safer community.
This course is not a therapy or support group – the session focuses on education and skill development. If you are currently distressed or have been recently affected or bereaved by suicide, we recommend you delay participating until those experiences have settled.
Who can attend
All Monash students are encouraged to attend. safeTALK training is for anyone who wants to help prevent suicide, become suicide-alert, and contribute to a safer community.
Registrations
Register for training through the health and wellbeing booking system.
Resource
Responding to Suicide (pdf, 479.3 KB)
– A toolkit for Australian universities. A joint initiative between Universities Australia and Headspace.