The University of Winchester has become one of the first universities in the UK to adopt the Orange Button scheme, a national suicide prevention initiative that trains people to listen, talk openly about suicide, and guide others to appropriate help.
The scheme was first launched in Lancashire and South Cumbria in 2020 through a partnership between the NHS and voluntary organisations. Since then, it has expanded to regions including Solihull, Birmingham, and Worcestershire, with more than 4,000 members across the UK by 2024.
At Winchester, around 30 staff members and 10 students have completed Suicide First Aid training and can now wear their orange buttons with pride. An additional 50 staff who completed the training but could not attend the launch ceremony will also have the opportunity to wear their buttons.
Dr Lesley Black, director of student support and success, congratulated participants at an informal ceremony. She said: “Taking part in the Orange Button scheme builds community and confidence. It also shows the commitment of this University to the issue of suicide awareness.”
“Many orange button schemes are already in place via local councils, but we are among the first universities in the UK to have one and we should be proud of that. It’s a visible demonstration of our commitment to supporting wellbeing and good mental health. Being willing to check in with people, being curious about how someone really is, actively listening and creating that safe space to talk about what can be challenging topics, such as suicide, are important and powerful acts.”
The scheme’s launch at Winchester reflects wider national efforts to improve student mental health and prevent suicide. A 2025 review by the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health examined more than 160 suspected student suicides in the 2023/24 academic year. It identified gaps in university support systems and called for mandatory staff training, better crisis response, and improved coordination with families.
The Department for Education has encouraged all universities to strengthen support through the University Mental Health Charter, while the government’s five-year suicide prevention strategy (2023–2028) includes £10 million in funding for voluntary initiatives such as the Orange Button scheme. Although student suicide rates remain lower than those of the general population, with around 64 deaths recorded in one recent year, the strategy highlights the importance of early intervention.
Universities UK and the charity Papyrus have issued new guidance to help institutions become suicide-safer, emphasising prevention, intervention, and compassionate responses. In Scotland, the University of Strathclyde appointed a full-time Suicide Prevention Project Coordinator in 2025, building on training resources such as Public Health Scotland’s “Ask, Tell, Respond” programme. Researchers from Surrey, Sussex, and other institutions have urged that universities include bereaved families and lived-experience voices in prevention strategies.
At Winchester, the Orange Button scheme complements existing wellbeing initiatives. The university, which gained university status in 2005, already supports scholarships for minority ethnic students in health and education, where mental health awareness plays a key role.
After receiving her button, academic success tutor Susie Coughlan said: “Although I speak primarily to students about their work, we do hear about their anxieties and difficulties, and these can lead to them having more dangerous thoughts. This training has given me the confidence to listen to their stories.”
Paul Watson, head of disability and inclusion, added: “We work closely with students who have difficulties and having these buttons is a good visible sign that ‘we get it’ and that we can offer support.”
Third-year student Jess Duniplace, Welfare team leader at Winchester Students’ Union, shared: “I had a friend who attempted suicide, and I had no idea what to do. Luckily, another friend was there who could help. Now I feel more confident that I could deal with a similar situation in the future. I’m really glad I did the training and I want more students to do it. The more people that do the training, the more lives that can be saved.”
Training for participants covers key areas:
- Recognising verbal, behavioural, and situational warning signs
- Holding safe and direct conversations about suicide
- Developing empathetic listening skills
- Helping to create short-term safety plans
- Knowing when and where to refer individuals for professional help
Delivered by organisations such as Lancashire Mind and Every Life Matters, the training also includes self-care strategies for participants.
