What is the Orange Button Scheme?
The Orange Button Scheme helps make suicide prevention support more visible across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
People wearing an orange button have completed suicide awareness and prevention training. They are not counsellors or crisis workers, but they are confident to talk about suicide, listen without judgement and help people find the right support.
If you are worried about yourself, a friend, family member, colleague or someone in your community, you can approach someone wearing an orange button for information and support.
An Orange Button holder can:
- listen calmly and without judgement
- help someone talk about how they are feeling
- signpost people to local and national support
- help someone take the next step towards getting help
- support safe and compassionate conversations about suicide
Orange Button holders are not expected to provide counselling, therapy or crisis intervention. Their role is to listen and help connect people to the right support.
Become an Orange Button holder
The scheme is open to people who live, work or volunteer in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and have completed eligible suicide awareness and prevention training.
If you have completed Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training within the last 12 months and would like to apply to become an Orange Button holder, please complete the application form below.
You may also apply if, within the last 12 months, you have completed:
- a full two-day Mental Health First Aider course
- Suicide Prevention First Aid
- ASSIST
- another recognised suicide prevention training course
If your application is successful, you will receive an Orange Button pack which will include an orange button badge, signposting information and other materials to support you in your role as an Orange Button holder.
Orange Button Suicide Prevention scheme application form
Training
Free suicide prevention and awareness training is available across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The training is funded by Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Training helps people feel more confident to spot the signs that someone may be struggling, start a conversation, listen safely and signpost to appropriate support.
After completing eligible training, you are able to apply to become an Orange Button holder.
If you have not yet completed the training and would like to book a place on an upcoming course, click the link below to search for available dates and to book your place.
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Training booking page
Who can get involved?
The scheme is for anyone who wants to help prevent suicide and support people in their community.
This could include:
- council staff
- NHS and health partners
- voluntary and community organisations
- businesses and workplaces
- schools, colleges and universities
- libraries and community venues
- faith groups
- sports clubs
- local groups and networks
- members of the community who have completed eligible training
For organisations and community venues
Organisations can support the Orange Button Scheme by encouraging staff or volunteers to complete suicide prevention training and by helping to promote the scheme.
Businesses, community groups and public-facing venues may also be able to display Orange Button materials, such as posters or window stickers, to show that trained people are available to listen and signpost.
This helps make support more visible and can make it easier for someone to start a conversation when they are struggling or worried about someone else.
Worried about someone?
You do not have to have all the answers to help someone.
If you are worried that someone may be thinking about suicide, it is OK to ask them directly and kindly. Talking about suicide does not put the idea into someone’s head. For many people, being asked can be a relief and may help them feel less alone.
You could say:
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
“Are you thinking about harming yourself?”
“I’m worried about you. Can we talk?”
Try to listen more than you speak, avoid judgement and encourage the person to get support. If they are in immediate danger, call 999.
Need support for yourself?
If you're struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of suicide, support is available.
- Contact your GP
- Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option
- Call Samaritans on 116 123
- In an emergency, call 999
If someone is in immediate danger
If someone’s life is at risk, call 999 now.
If you are worried that you or someone else cannot be kept safe, call 999 or contact urgent mental health support.
You can also call NHS 111 and select the mental health option if you need urgent help for a mental health crisis that is not life-threatening.
If you need to talk to someone now, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 116 123.