General
Description of Resource
A two day training course, with an emphasis on suicide first aid and helping a person at risk stay safe and seek further help. Attendance at the full two days is essential.
ASIST was developed by Living Works Education in Canada. Living Works International Coaching Trainers deliver 'Training for Trainers' in Scotland, then local trainers offer ASIST workshops and Suicide TALKs across Scotland.
ASIST has five learning sections:
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 which attitudes 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 recognise risk and develop their skills through observation and supervised simulation experiences in large and small groups.
Assisting - presents a model for effective suicide intervention. Participant 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 recognise and develop safeplans to reduce risk of suicide and to transform local resources into helping networks.
Emphasising structured small-group discussions and practice, the course uses a 20-page workbook and two audiovisuals. Participants receive a 154-page Suicide Intervention Handbook and a colour, laminated pocket card featuring intervention, risk review and safeplan development principles.
Resource Material Available
Contact Details
In Scotland Choose Life develops and manages the implementation of ASIST, working closely with Living Works Education.
For more information contact the Choose Life Training and Development Manager or click on the website below.
Email Address
info@chooselife.net
Web Address
http://www.chooselife.net/Training/GeneralOverview.asp
Type of Resource
Information on Training Courses in Suicide Prevention
Involves a two consecutive day workshop where attendance at the full two days is essential. ASIST provides practical training for anyone seeking to prevent the immediate risk of suicide.
Participants can come from any background and include people concerned about family and friends and workers from a wide range of agencies and professional backgrounds.
The training team of two trainers work mostly in small groups of one trainer to no more than 15 participants. ASIST uses many different teaching processes to create a practical and interactive learning experience.
Primary Objectives
Early prevention and Intervention
Responding to immediate crisis
Rating when asked how well the resource fulfilled its Primary objectives:
Based on 6 Respondents.
Other Objectives
To support the development of a suicide safe community by informing and giving skills to members of the community so that they feel confident to intervene if they encounter people at risk of attempting or completing suicide.
Rating when asked how well the resource fulfilled its Other objectives:
Based on 6 Respondents.
Intended Outcomes
Participants learn how to:
- Recognise invitations for help
- Reach out and offer support
- Review the risk of suicide
- Apply a suicide intervention model
- Link people with community resources
Evaluations have shown that the workshop increases caregivers’ knowledge and confidence to respond to a person at risk of suicide, that intervention skills are retained over time and that they are put to use to save lives.
Primary Target Groups
General population
Rating when asked how appropriate:
Based on 6 Respondents.
Use of Resource
Costs
Yes
Direct Costs
Costs may vary from 0 to £200 per person in Scotland, depending on local resources. Local participants and volunteers generally receive free places.
Indirect Costs
Staff/Volunteer Time - 2 days
Space/venue - Rooms for 2 days
Equipment - Flipcharts, Overhead Projector, TV and Video
Assessment of Resource
Comments on effectiveness
'The only way in which we can judge effectiveness at present is to use our feedback forms. Everyone who took the training felt that they were better equipped to deal with people who had thoughts or actions surrounding suicide.'
'Allows discussion of sensitive issues in a safe environment and gives practical skills. I have personally delivered four courses and I have seen a positive change in all who have attended. Often those I thought would be most resistant left with great enthusiasm to put the training into practice. A number of people have been in contact following the training stating that they have had to use the skills and that the training was most helpful.'
'Local evaluation of the training has shown that people (professionals and non-professionals) have found the training extremely valuable and given them the confidence to broach the subject of suicide with someone they are concerned about.'
'It is difficult to measure the effectiveness of the ASIST training in terms of tangible gains. It is difficult to say that with the implementation of the ASIST training that suicides will be reduced. However for what the training aims to do it is very effective.'
'I have had very positive feedback from course participants.'
'An effective tool in that it is very straightforward, i.e 'do you have a plan' has become something of a buzzword around Shetland!'
'Feedback from participants has been very positive, a lot of anecdotal evidence that people have used skills gained from workshops.'
'Has been particularly successful with those who work with high risk groups, but are not mental health professionals, such as those working with homeless people, looked after children or people who abuse substances.'
Strengths
'ASIST is a well-developed and quality controlled training package. The materials are excellent and the package is very professional. It gives a common language around suicide intervention and can be used by anyone from any background. ASIST is inclusive and recognises the importance of training a wide range of suicide first aiders who are prepared to use their skills at any time.'
'Easily understood and practiced. Involves practical demonstrations. Encourages networking within rural communities.'
'Well planned course developed over time and incorporating learning from previous feedback.'
'Structured model, good networking opportunity.'
'The training helps to get rid of the stigma and taboo that surrounds suicide and helps people feel more confident at bringing it out into the open.'
'This training is unique in that anybody can do it. It is a known fact- locally- that not everybody who feels suicidal will look for professional help, but will turn to family and friends for support. This training helps these people to support them.'
'It has been used extensively around the world, and has been evaluated.'
'Easy to learn and to use.'
Weaknesses
'None. ASIST has been many years in the making, and is continually improved and moulded to continue to meet the needs of different groups of society.'
'Two days consecutive training can make it difficult for some people due to cost of cover and difficulty getting staff cover. Also some people will not rate suicide prevention as a high enough priority to devote two full days training to it. It can be expensive to run.'
'The training is an excellent resource for those wanting to better equip themselves for helping someone at risk of suicide- but is focused very much on the immediate situation.'
'North American language does not always translate well. This can be dealt with as part of the discussion sessions to ensure full understanding by participants.'
'Depends heavily on course participation.'
'Still need to be good at working with and relating to people to use the tool most effectively.'
Practical Issues
'Some sections of the community were reluctant initially to be involved in such lengthy training in relation to suicide intervention. They were encouraged to send one representative to the training who was of a level within their organisation to influence whether or not further people would participate in the training. SuicideTALK was also used to generate interest in ASIST.'
'Lack of participation from groups.'
'I work in the Western Isles. Finding suitable venues with the right facilities in a safe confidential environment can be difficult.'
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