Sensitive Conversations Around Suicide

Warning: This episode includes candid discussions around suicide and self-harm which some listeners may find distressing. Please use discretion when listening and take a break if needed. In this episode, Clare talks to Marie Greenhalgh, Relationships Director at Inclusion Education, about how to have sensitive conversations around suicide and suicide prevention.Marie explains what ‘suicidal ideation’ means and what some risk factors might be. They discuss the role that education can play in suicide prevention and the importance of training, to help prepare staff to have sensitive conversations and keep everyone safe. Marie also highlights the need to look after our own mental and emotional wellbeing as practitioners, as suicide can be an upsetting topic for everyone involved.Marie is Relationships Director at Inclusion Education, where she has worked for over 16 years, building programmes and education provision that support young people with mental health needs and neurodivergence.She was Project Lead for Baton of Hope Tour, Basingstoke in 2025 and co-authored ‘All the Things They Never Told You About Teaching: Facilitating Sensitive Conversations with Our Learners’ and 'Supporting Bereaved Children in the Primary Classroom’, both of which are published by Routledge. She is also a Community Ambassador for Winston’s Wish, and monthly columnist for Fusion Magazine UK. Marie is passionate about diversity, inclusivity, wellbeing, and challenging the stigma and discrimination that surrounds mental health and suicide. You can find Marie on LinkedIn or go to Inclusion Education to find out more about how to support children and young people in your organisation. Marie also shares three tips during the episode:Normalise discussing suicide and practise having sensitive conversations, as talking can save lives.Get to know the warning signs that indicate someone might be struggling with their mental health.Look after your own mental and emotional wellbeing. The Team Teach podcast shares the latest thinking in behaviour, all in handy 15-minute (ish) bite-sized chunks. Each episode features a new guest chatting about a different aspect of behaviour and leaves you with three handy tips to use in your setting.Find out how Team Teach can help your organisation.The Team Teach podcast is created in the UK, adhering to UK law and guidance. Practitioners should exercise their professional judgment to determine the appropriateness of any Team Teach material for their specific sector and geographic region, and be aware of the applicable laws and guidelines governing their organisation.