ASIST

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

Attending this two-day course will train you to intervene with an individual who is suicidal.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop—anyone 18 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.

This workshop is not recommended for people who have had a recent suicide loss.

Learning goals and objectives

Over the course of their two-day workshop, ASIST participants learn to:

• Understand the ways that personal and societal attitudes affect views on suicide and interventions
• Provide guidance and suicide first aid to a person at risk in ways that meet their individual safety needs
• Identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it
• Appreciate the value of improving and integrating suicide prevention resources in the community at large
• Recognize other important aspects of suicide prevention including life-promotion and self-care

ASIST helps to build regional networks of trained caregivers who can support each and use common terminology to approach suicide and safety. Studies show that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings in those at risk and is a cost-effective way to help address the problem of suicide.

Audience

Ages 16+
Participants can include but not limited to: parents and caregivers; natural helpers and advisors; educators and ministers; health practitioners; justice, law enforcers, emergency workers, and community volunteers.

Certificate and Accreditation

All participants who complete the course (14 hours of instruction time) will receive a certificate of participation.

Cost: $250 for 2-day class and includes materials.

Group Rates available upon Request.

For more information on course dates go to https://kootenays.cmha.bc.ca/events/ or contact events@cmhakootenays.org