What is ASIST Training?

ASIST stands for (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). PIPS Newry and Mourne will from September be running this workshop.

Suicide affects us all. Latest research studies here in Northern Ireland show an increase in suicides from 213 suicides in 2005 to 291 suicides in 2006 an increase of 37%

Anyone can be at risk. Men and women of all ages, of all occupations and all socioeconomic groups are at risk. There is no guarantee of safety from suicide. The key to suicide prevention is trained caregivers who are ready, willing and able to get involved with each individual at risk—caregivers who can recognize individuals who are at risk and who know how to intervene to prevent the risk of suicidal thoughts becoming suicidal behaviours.

Something can be done

 

The vast majority of those thinking about suicide will find some way to signal their intent. Most suicidal people are looking for another option. They don’t want to die. But preventing suicide takes two people—a helper and the person at risk. United Nations’ guidelines and national strategies in Australia, England, Finland, Norway, Scotland and the United States emphasise that caregiver competence is a critical component in any large-scale suicide prevention program.

ASIST is designed to help all caregivers become more willing, ready and able to help persons at risk. Suicide can be prevented with the help of prepared caregivers. Just as “CPR” skills make physical first aid possible, training in suicide intervention develops the skills used in suicide first aid. ASIST is a two-day intensive, interactive and practice-dominated course designed to help caregivers recognise risk and learn how to intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide.

The workshop is for all caregivers (any person in a position of trust). This includes professionals and lay people. It is suitable for mental health professionals, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, teachers, counselors, youth workers, police, school support staff, clergy, and community volunteers.

ASIST has five learning sections:

ASIST is designed to help all caregivers become more ready, willing and able to help people at risk. Prepared caregivers can help prevent suicide. Unprepared caregivers tend to deny, avoid, even stigmatise and punish persons at risk. That is what society has traditionally done. All evidence indicates that unprepared caregivers continue this dangerous tradition. Training is required to turn denial, avoidance and stigmatisation into vigilance, understanding and help.

Learn suicide first aid

Join over 600,000 caregivers and participate in LivingWorks’ ASIST workshop. Learn to recognize and estimate risk, and become more effective at helping people at risk. The benefits will live on.