0567 - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Course Description
Hours: 14
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TRAINING IS BEING HELD IN PERSON AT 120 DUKE STREET WEST IN KITCHENER. A REMOTE OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE.
The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop is for caregivers who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over a million caregivers have received this training. Just as CPR skills make physical first aid possible, training in suicide intervention develops the skills needed for life assisting suicide first aid. ASIST is a two-day intensive, interactive and practice-dominated course designed to help caregivers learn how to intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide and provide safety-for-now.
The workshop is designed for all caregivers (any person over age 15 in a position of trust). This includes professionals, paraprofessionals and lay people. It is suitable for mental health professionals, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, teachers, counselors, youth workers, police and correctional staff, school support staff, clergy, and community volunteers. In ASIST, sophisticated helping concepts are translated into generic language so that different types of caregivers can learn together. ASIST is the most widely used suicide intervention training program in the world. Additional information is available www.livingworks.net.
NOTE: Participants must attend 100% of the training both days in order to receive a certificate of completion.
Learning Objectives
Over the course of the two-day workshop, ASIST participants learn to:
- Recognize that caregivers and people are affected by personal and societal attitudes about suicide.
- Provide life-assisting guidance to a person thinking about suicide in a flexible manner.
- Identify what needs to be in a person thinking about suicide’s plan for safety.
- Demonstrate the skills required to provide suicide first aid to a person thinking about suicide.
- Appreciate the value of improving community resources, including the way they work together.
- Recognize that suicide prevention is broader than suicide intervention and includes life promotion and self-care for people thinking about suicide and for caregivers.
This training is not eligible for any discounts.
Instructors
Kendra FitzGerald, RSW
Kendra holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and an Addictions and Mental Health certificate from Fanshaw College. She has been an ASIST trainer since March 2024 and oversees volunteers at Compass Community Services, supporting their work in social calls, medication reminders, wellness checks and distress line operations. Kendra collaborates with local partners to enhance support services and foster meaningful connections for service users in Guelph-Wellington County.
Tina Ewen, RSSW
Tina completed her Social Service Work certificate at Conestoga College and is currently in her final year of the Bachelor of Social Work program at Wilfrid Laurier University. Tina oversees staff operating on the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline through Compass Community Services, ensuring compassionate and effective support is available to individuals in crisis.
Notes
For more information contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:
Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-5128
Cancellations and Transfers
Be sure to carefully review our cancellation and transfer information before registering.
Website: wlu.ca/fswpd