Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) - Pittsburgh, PA

ASIST is a two-day workshop that teaches people to recognize suicide risk, intervene with care, and help create a safety plan.
About this Event

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

It is estimated that each year we lose 50,000 friends, family, and community members to suicide. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for 10–35–year–olds, and men between the ages of 35 – 65 are the highest-risk population. The good news is that research shows suicide can be prevented.

ASIST - Description

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day workshop with a standardized curriculum designed to develop “suicide first aid” skills. It teaches participants to recognize when someone may be having thoughts of suicide, to discuss suicide in a direct manner with that person, and how to intervene and work with the person to create a plan that supports their immediate safety. The training is based on a person-centered prevention model: Rather than guiding people at risk through a predetermined pathway to safety, the model supports the person in developing their own safety plan using personal and community resources. The training courses are available to anyone over the age of 16 concerned with the immediate safety of people at risk of suicide; no prior experience or education is required. ASIST can also provide those in formal helping roles with professional development: workshop participants can earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). ASIST has been designated as a “program with evidence of effectiveness” by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and adopted by the U.S. Army Suicide Prevention Program as the approved intervention training. The intervention was also tested in K-12 schools and listed as a recommended program in SAMHSA’s toolkit for preventing suicide in high schools.

Is It a Good Fit for My Church?

The ASIST model suits any community-based caregiving organization that wants to train staff in suicide prevention. Anyone over the age of 16 can be trained on the model; no particular educational background or prior experience is required. Some community organizations offer a few staff members ASIST Training for Trainers, which qualifies them to become registered ASIST trainers and to provide consultation and training to local agencies, corporations, and community members. Currently, there are over 6,000 registered ASIST trainers worldwide.

How Does It Work?

The ASIST model involves an assessment of suicide risk and the development of a “safeplan,” based on present and future risk, available resources, and the needs of the person at risk. In addition to referrals to formal mental health services, the safeplan could include connection to and support from friends, family members, and other sources in the community. ASIST has five components through which trainees gradually build an understanding of suicide risk and suicide intervention:

· understand attitudes about suicide

· provide guidance and suicide first aid to a person at risk

· identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it

· appreciate the value of improving community suicide prevention resources

· recognize important aspects of suicide prevention, including life-promotion and self-care

Training Costs

Tuition for ASIST’s two-day intensive training varies by location. A review of currently available trainings across the United States found a range of $200 to $350 per attendee. You pay nothing for this program, thanks to Soul Shop™ and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

If you have any questions, please contact Christopher Epperson at [email protected]