“Think of this as buying new clothes for an old wardrobe.”

When engaging with the PROTECT training — whether through our workshops, resources, or this website — we invite you to take a layered approach to learning. Imagine you’re not starting from scratch, but updating your existing wardrobe. You don’t need to throw out what you already own. You might simply find a new shirt that pairs well with your favourite trousers — a new perspective that complements the experience, frameworks, and tools you’ve already gathered.

PROTECT isn’t a proprietary technique. It’s a synthesis. It draws together well-established, evidence-informed approaches that have long guided best practice in mental health and suicide prevention. These include:

• Relational safety and person-centred care, grounded in Rogerian traditions and recovery-oriented practice
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
• Safety planning and clinical risk formulation, as taught across psychiatric, psychological, and nursing disciplines

PROTECT weaves these threads into a practical, values-anchored framework that guides both organisational implementation and everyday clinical interaction. While the form may be new, the fibres are familiar to anyone who has worked in the field of mental health.

📘 Learning Across Experience Levels

Whether you’re a novice clinician seeking a structured approach to suicide prevention, or an experienced practitioner looking to refresh, integrate, or extend your skills — there is something here for you.

For newer practitioners, the PROTECT framework can offer:

• A grounded, values-based starting point for clinical conversations
• A clear model for navigating risk in complex presentations
• Tools for integrating therapeutic micro-skills with system-level responses

For seasoned professionals, PROTECT may serve as:

• A reminder of foundational principles, reinterpreted through a relational lens
• A bridge between therapeutic intent and documentation
• A shared language for supervision, team training, and quality improvement

Further Reading: Expanding Your Toolkit

Engaging with PROTECT is akin to updating your wardrobe — integrating new pieces that complement your existing attire. Similarly, the following books are designed to enrich your professional practice, offering fresh perspectives and tools that align with the PROTECT framework.

Suicide Prevention & Clinical Practice

• PROTECT: Suicide Prevention by PROactive deTECTion
  An in-depth exploration of the PROTECT framework, focusing on proactive detection and intervention strategies in suicide prevention.
• PROTECT Workbook: PROactive deTECTion for Suicide Prevention
  A practical companion to the PROTECT guide, featuring exercises and case studies to apply the framework effectively.
• PROTECT Guidebook: Novel Solutions for Suicide Risk Assessment and Management through Relational Safety
  This guidebook delves into innovative approaches for assessing and managing suicide risk, emphasizing relational safety.amazon.com
• Suicide Prevention STEPS (Vol 1): A Theoretical and Practical Guide
  Introduces foundational concepts and practical applications for suicide prevention strategies.
• Suicide Prevention STEPS (Vol 2): Classic Models, Clear Impact
  Explores timeless models in suicide prevention and their impactful applications.
• Suicide Prevention STEPS (Vol 3): Contemporary Models, Simplifying Complexity
  Focuses on modern approaches to suicide prevention, aiming to simplify complex scenarios.

• Healing for Healers: Journey After Losing A Patient To Suicide
  Addresses the emotional journey of healthcare providers coping with patient loss due to suicide.amazon.com
• The Living Oak: Connection through Courage, Curiosity, Compassion, Collaboration, Commitment
  Explores the interconnectedness of personal growth and professional practice through core virtues.

• PEARLS: Suicide Prevention for Health Professionals: A concise guide tailored for healthcare providers, offering practical strategies for suicide prevention within clinical settings.
• Photographer of the Inner World: Utilizes the metaphor of photography to delve into the internal landscapes of individuals, offering a unique perspective on suicide prevention.
• Lupa’s Light for the Wildwood Within: Focuses on healing the heart of Borderline Personality Disorder, providing insights and guidance for both individuals and clinicians.
• Guiding Lights: Using the ABCs to Navigate Care Dilemmas: A manual designed for Progress Guides, offering strategies to navigate complex care situations using the ABC framework.