Creative Conversations, Compassionate Responses

Suicide awareness training for artists and cultural workers – hosted by by Heart of Glass, Angela Samata and Zero Suicide Alliance.

Suicide Awareness Training for Artists and Cultural Workers

Artists and cultural workers often find themselves holding space for difficult conversations.

Whether through participatory projects, exhibitions, performances, workshops or long-term community relationships, creative practitioners regularly encounter experiences of grief, trauma, distress and, at times, conversations about suicide.

Yet many people working in the cultural sector have had little opportunity to access suicide awareness training designed with their work in mind.

This special event brings together suicide awareness training from the Zero Suicide Alliance with a facilitated conversation exploring what compassionate, ethical and practical support could look like for artists and cultural workers.

The event forms part of Close to Home, Heart of Glass’s public programme exploring suicide, bereavement, care and community through eight years of collaborative artistic practice.

Part One: Suicide Awareness Training

Date: 9th September – 10am – 11.30am

Delivered by the Zero Suicide Alliance, this practical and interactive session will help participants feel more confident recognising when someone may be struggling and responding safely and compassionately.

Together we’ll explore:

Understanding suicide awareness and prevention

Challenging stigma and common misconceptions

Starting compassionate conversations

Listening without judgement

Responding to disclosures safely

Understanding support pathways and signposting

This training is not about becoming a mental health professional. It is about building confidence to respond appropriately when difficult conversations arise.

Part Two: Listening & Co-Design Conversation

Date: 7th October 10am-11.30am

Following the training, participants will be invited to take part in a facilitated listening and co-design session within Close to Home at Liverpool’s Cunard Building.

Together we will explore:

What conversations are artists and cultural workers already having around suicide, grief and mental health?

What support feels most needed?

What challenges are unique to creative and participatory practice?

What might sector-specific suicide awareness training look like?

What resources, guidance and approaches would help practitioners feel more confident and supported?

Rather than beginning with assumptions, we want to begin by listening.

The conversation will help shape thinking about future training and resources designed specifically for the arts and cultural sector.

Who is this for?

This event is for artists, cultural workers, producers, programmers, community practitioners, creative freelancers, arts educators and cultural leaders – particularly those working in community-facing roles.

About the wider programme

This event forms part of Close to Home, a six week installation. Presented by Heart of Glass, in partnership with Culture Liverpool and Public Health Liverpool.

Bringing together eight years of work by artist Mark Storor made in collaboration with communities and individuals with lived and living experience of suicide across England, Ireland and Wales, including films, photographs, sculptures, poetry and music.

We invite you into an evolving space of contemplation, reflection and quiet assembly. A beautiful artistic space for what is often difficult to express, acknowledging and honouring the experiences of those we have lost.

Find out more here: heartofglass.org.uk/ClosetoHome

The installation opens ahead of on World Suicide Prevention Day 2026 and closes on World Mental Health Day and seeks to contribute to a wider public discourse about suicide, stigma, care and community.

Alongside the installation, we are creating opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners to consider their own role within this conversation.

Why this matters

Research consistently shows that stigma and fear can prevent people from talking about suicide and accessing support.

We know that compassionate conversations can save lives.

We also know that cultural spaces are often places where people feel able to share experiences that may not emerge elsewhere.

At a time when arts organisations are increasingly engaging with questions of wellbeing, mental health, inequality, trauma, grief and lived experience, there is a growing need to ensure practitioners are supported to navigate these conversations safely and ethically.

This event is an opportunity to learn from one another, identify shared challenges and collectively shape what future support for the sector could look like.

More information about Zero Suicide Alliance

Participants will undertake Zero Suicide Alliance suicide awareness training, gaining practical skills and confidence in recognising when someone may be struggling and understanding how to respond appropriately.

The training is based on a simple, but powerful principle:

Conversations can save lives.

Find out more about ZSA’s free training programmes here: https://www.zerosuicidealliance.com/suicide-awareness-training

Accessibility

Heart of Glass is committed to making our events and training as accessible and inclusive as possible. Please let us know your access requirements in advance so we can support you.

The Cunard Building is fully wheelchair accessible. Step-free access is available via the Brunswick Street entrance, and accessible toilets are available within the building.

Assistance dogs are welcome.

Find out more about accessing the installation, transport links etc here: heartofglass.org.uk/ClosetoHome