December 5th and 6th, Program Manager, Illeah Marcum and Volunteer Coordinator, Kelli Murray taught a free two day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. ASIST is a resource for the whole community. It helps people apply suicide first-aid in many settings: with family, friends, co-workers, and teammates, as well as formal caregiving roles. It is also because of our community we were able to provide this free training and lunch for everyone. Thank you, Jimmy Johns and Papa Johns, for your generous lunch donation.
In the course of the two-day workshop, ASIST participants learn to:
- Understand the ways personal and societal attitudes affect views on suicide and interventions
- Provide guidance and suicide first-aid to a person at in ways that meet their individual safety needs
- Identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it
- Appreciate the value of improving and integrating suicide prevention resources in the community at large
- Recognize other important aspects of suicide prevention including life-promotion and self-care