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Organize or Sponsor an
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
Workshop Do you want to help helpers in your community to
feel ready, willing and able to prevent the
immediate risk of suicide? Nothing could be more
helpful than sponsoring and organizing an ASIST
workshop.
ASIST is a two-day intensive, interactive and
practice-dominated course designed to help
caregivers recognize and review risk, and intervene
to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. It is by
far the most widely used, acclaimed and researched
suicide intervention training workshop in the world.
ASIST has been refined over 23 years with
feedback from over 500,000 participants and over
3,000 active trainers. Certain specifications have
proven to be essential. The workshop must be
conducted in two consecutive days (seven working
hours per day). It must be conducted by at least two
Registered Trainers. Each workshop can accommodate
from seven to 15 participants per trainer, although
10 to 12 participants per trainer is a better range.
More than 45 participants are best split into
separate workshops. Smaller workshops (7 to 15
participants) are possible but represent a less
economical use of resources since two trainers must
still be present.
Organizers play a big part in the overall success of
each ASIST. There are fairly strict room and
equipment requirements. One large group room and at
least one small group room are needed for an
ASIST workshop of 14–30 participants. It is
almost essential that the noon meal be provided on
site. Refreshments and other "creature comfort"
considerations can add that final touch of
excellence. Organizers typically introduce trainers
and provide information on local resources should
there be participants who are at risk. Organizers
often collect participant fees and oversee financial
matters.
Each participant pays LivingWorks $35 for materials
and to subsidize trainer support. Participants
receive a workshop workbook, a 154-page Suicide
Intervention Handbook, a full color, laminated
pocket card on intervention and risk estimation
principles, and a certificate of participation.
Their value is obvious to virtually all
participants. Trainers order these materials
directly from LivingWorks. Organizers will need to
consult with trainers regarding their fees and
expenses.
It is strongly recommended that the actual costs
(estimated to be $275 per participant) be used in
all marketing and advertising even if the actual
cost to each participant is far less. Where
appropriate, give credit to sponsors for the
difference between real and actual costs.
You will be pleased with the result and the part you
play in creating it! Contact the Nevada Office of
Suicide Prevention at (775) 684-3475 or
mvallen@dhhs.nv.gov
to organize a training.
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