CONTACT Pittsburgh : Pittsburgh's 24 Hour Suicide and Supportive Listening Line

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Testimonials:

It was wonderful to see the wide range of professionals that attended the training which was unique in itself. I feel as though I learned a lot from the training as well as the professionals from various backgrounds that attended...This model adds structure to the entire process of dealing with potentially suicidal individuals in terms of assessment to eventually assisting. I'm pleased that I had the opportunity to be a part of the experience and look forward to sending many of my crisis workers to experience the ASIST model in future trainings.
-Participant in November 2008 Workshop

Very important training. Community involvement and education is paramount. ASIST should be provided to all crisis workers
-Participant in March 2009 Workshop

This is a class that is invaluable to those of us who are most likely to be the first respondents to at-risk persons who have been contemplating suicide.
-Participant in July 2009 Workshop.

As a Counselor, I found Contact Pittsburgh’s ASIST training to be very effective and thorough. The ASIST model provides structured steps for one to follow in guiding a suicidal individual to safety. Contact Pittsburgh’s staff taught the training in an effective and entertaining manner. I would recommend Contact Pittsburgh’s ASIST two day workshop to anyone who wants to increase their comfort and skill level in working with individuals who are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
-Participant in July 2009 Workshop.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

The ASIST workshop is for caregivers who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over 750,000 caregivers have participated in this two-day, highly interactive, practical, practice-oriented workshop.

ASIST provides practical training for caregivers seeking to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Participants often include people concerned about family and/or friends, natural helpers and advisers, emergency service workers, counselors, teachers and ministers, mental health practitioners, workers in health, welfare or justice, and/or community volunteers. Working mostly in small groups of one trainer to no more than 15 participants, ASIST uses many different teaching processes to create a practice-oriented and interactive learning experience.

The emphasis of the ASIST workshop is on suicide first aid, on helping a person at risk stay safe and seek further help. Attendance at the full two days is essential. Participants will learn how to recognize invitations for help, reach out and offer support, review the risk of suicide, apply a suicide intervention model and 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.

Please click here to find a local ASIST training near you.

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