ASIST

Listening 2 U is proud to announce that they are now authorised training providers for the 'Applied Suicide Intervention Skills' workshop.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two day interactive workshop in suicide first aid and more. ASIST teaches participants to recognise 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 16 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.

Since its initial development in 1983 by LivingWorks, ASIST has received regular updates to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice, and over 2,000,000 people worldwide have taken the workshop. 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.

What is ASIST?
An accredited two day, interactive training that prepares each participant to provide suicide first aid interventions.

Who can attend ASIST?
Anyone 16 or over can learn and use the ASIST model. No previous mental health or suicide prevention experience is necessary.

What will you learn as an ASIST trained first aider?

After your ASIST training, you will be better able to:

Be suicide alert – identify people who have thoughts of suicide
Understand the reasons behind thoughts of suicide and the reasons for living
Assess risk and safety – develop a plan to increase the safety of the person at risk of suicide
Recognise invitations for help
Recognise potential barriers of seeking help
Offer support – recognise other important aspects of suicide prevention including life-promotion and self-care
Effectively apply a suicide intervention model
Link people with community resources
Gain confidence in talking about suicide armed with the tools to manage the conversation

What are the workshop features?

Presentations and guidance from two LivingWorks registered trainers
A scientifically proven intervention model
Powerful audio-visual learning aids
Group discussions
Skills practice and development
A balance of challenge and safety
Participant materials include a 20-page workbook, wallet card, and sticker. Participants also receive a certificate upon completing the workshop.

What is the structure of an ASIST workshop?
The ASIST workshop is divided into five sections that follow in a logical progression to gradually build comfort, confidence and understanding around suicide and suicide intervention.

Preparing: Sets the tone, norms, and expectations of the learning experience over the two days.

Connecting: Enables participants to reflect on their own attitudes towards suicide. This creates an understanding of the impact that attitudes can have on the intervention process.

Understanding: An overview of the intervention needs of a person at risk. The trainers focus on providing participants with the knowledge and skills to:

Recognise risk
Develop safe plans to reduce the risk of suicide
Increase the safety of the person

Assisting: Presents a model for effective suicide intervention. Participants develop their skills through observation and supervised simulation exercises in large and small groups.

Networking: The trainers share information about resources in the local community and promote participant commitment to encouraging the transformation of local resources into helping networks.