SafeSide Connect: Build Resilience and Team Cohesion
SafeSide Connect represents a fundamental shift from traditional suicide prevention training. The program builds team-wide protective factors and equips participants with practical, experience-based skills.
Connect reduces hidden suicide risk (Wyman et al, 2020, 2022), and creates a supportive environment that naturally protects vulnerable individuals, allowing team leaders to care for their people through systemic support rather than relying solely on individual detection and intervention.
How It Works
SafeSide Connect is hands-on training delivered at an in-person workshop in one day.
You will participate in guided conversations, activities, and group practices built around the Four Cores: Kinship, Purpose, Guidance, and Balance.
- Individual skills–practical tools to strengthen your resilience.
- Group connection–build trust and practice skills with your team.
- Collective strength–connect with peers across agencies in your region, so we stay strong together.
After the program, you will receive short weekly text reminders for six months to help keep the skills fresh. This special session is offered in partnership with the Suicide Prevention Center of New York, CARES UP initiative.
Secure your spot for the in-person Connect session 22 April, 2026. The event will run from 8am to 5pm in Troy, New York. . Once you sign up, you will receive an email with all the details.
Why it Matters
This program is available to Correctional Officers, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Communication Centers, Firefighters, Law Enforcement, and Military Veterans transitioning to civilian life
Strengths-based approach
By promoting strength-based approaches for navigating stress and transitions, Connect reduces suicide risk and depressive symptoms with demonstrated effectiveness in military units facing similar acute stressors. This is done without stigmatizing mental health concerns.
Shared Healthy Expectations
Groups develop a common language and expectations for healthy coping through the use of the Four Core Strengths - Kinship, Purpose, Guidance and Balance - to support health and normalise help-seeking and receiving.
Interactive Learning + Follow up
Engage in six hours of interactive training where learning is personally meaningful and active, with an emphasis on learning from each other. Participants also receive text messages and videos for six months to reinforce training concepts and encourage personal application through transitions.
Seats are limited for this opportunity on 22 April, 2026 in Troy, New York.