Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

ASIST is a 2-day training program aimed at developing “suicide first aid” skills and competencies. The program is available to anyone seeking to increase the immediate safety of persons at risk of suicide. Since people at risk are often inclined to reach out first to family and friends, ASIST fulfills a “gatekeeper” role that seeks to build and empower a broad network of community helpers.  ASIST also provides those in more formal helping roles with professional development to ensure that they are prepared to provide suicide first aid help as part of the care they provide.

The ASIST model involves assessment of suicide risk and the development of a “safeplan,” which provides various options depending on present and future risk, available resources, and the needs of the person at risk. Options include not only referrals to formal mental health services, but also connection to and support from friends, family members, and other sources. The ASIST philosophy posits that the suicide intervention may be sufficient to reduce risk without the need for further referral.

ASIST comprises five progressive components in which trainees gradually build comfort and understanding around suicide and suicide intervention.

Program Goals:

• ASIST participants learn to:
• 1) understand attitudes about suicide
• 2) provide guidance and suicide first aid to a person at risk
• 3) identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it
• 4) appreciate the value of improving community suicide prevention resources
• 5) recognize important aspects of suicide prevention, including life-promotion and self-care

 

Target Audience:

• -ASIST is for everyone. Anyone aged 16 and older can learn the skills to intervene and save a life from suicide. Professionals as well as members of the community at large have all found great value in ASIST over the years.

 

Program Description:

• -The ASIST workshop is divided into five sections that follow in a logical progression to gradually build comfort and understanding around suicide and suicide intervention.
• -Preparing: Sets the tone, norms, and expectations of the learning experience.
• -Connecting: Sensitizes participants to their own attitudes towards suicide. Creates an understanding of the impact that attitudes can have on the intervention process.
• -Understanding: Overviews the intervention needs of a person at risk. It focuses on providing participants with the knowledge and skills to recognize risk and develop safeplans to reduce the risk of suicide.
• -Assisting: Presents a model for effective suicide intervention. Participants develop their skills through observation and supervised simulation experiences in large and small groups.
• -Networking: Generates information about resources in the local community. Promotes a commitment by participants to transform local resources into helping networks.

 

Program Delivery:

• -Each ASIST workshop is led by at least two registered LivingWorks trainers. In order to become registered, trainers must complete an intensive course called an ASIST Training for Trainers (T4T), present workshops regularly, and submit continuous quality assurance reports. Some ASIST trainers work independently while others belong to agencies and organizations, but all of them share a commitment to excellence in suicide intervention skills training.

 

Costs to Implement Program:

• https://www.livingworks.net/programs/asist-for-trainers/