Suicide is a major issue and it’s increasing – In England it is a sad fact that every 2 hours a person dies by their own hand. ASIST suicide prevention training is one way of supporting communities to be suicide safer.

In 2019, over 6,000 suicides were across the UK. Although adults in middle- and late-middle age have the highest suicide rate, suicide occurs in people of all ages, including children and when someone takes their own life, the effect on the family, friends, the local community and the wider community is devastating – An immeasurable impact.

ASIST: suicide first aid

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is a two day, skills building workshop that prepares caregivers of all kinds to provide suicide first aid interventions. Professionals, Volunteers and informal helpers all need to know how to help persons with thoughts of suicide in ways that increase their suicide safety.  

As an ASIST-trained first aid intervention Caregiver, you will be better able to:  

Identify people who have thoughts of suicide 

Understand how your beliefs and attitudes can affect suicide interventions

Seek and gain understanding of the reasons for thoughts of suicide and the reasons for living

Review current risk and develop a plan to increase safety from suicidal behaviour for an agreed amount of time

Follow up on all the safety commitments, accessing further help as needed.   

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