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Training Options for 2008
We believe that suicide prevention is everyone’s business. We also believe in the power of education and skill-building. People who are prepared are more likely to recognize someone at risk and to respond quickly and effectively. The more people trained, the stronger the safety net.Toward that end, we offer a variety of educational programs on suicide awareness and intervention.
Consider which may be right for you and your community.
1. Basic Awareness for General Audiences
These 75-minute “awareness programs” address common misconceptions, teach basic skills
necessary to identify someone who may be at risk for suicide and promote a variety of resources.
2. Basic Awareness for School Faculty and Staff
In addition to providing basic awareness, this 75 minute program provides information on the roles of teachers and support staff in school based suicide prevention (as described in the Virginia
Department of Education 2003 guidelines).
3. SafeTALK
In addition to raising awareness and addressing common misconceptions, this 3-hour training also
coaches participants through basic helper conversations. Participants will be prepared to ask about
suicide and to link those in need to the next level of care.
4. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
ASIST is the most widely used intervention skills training in the US. It is a two-day intensive,
interactive and practice-dominated course designed to help caregivers recognize risk for suicide,
intervene to prevent immediate harm and link persons at risk to the next level of care. ASIST is for
all caregivers (any person in a position of trust). It is suitable for school and campus mental health
staff, nurses, physicians, teachers, youth workers, police and correctional staff, school support staff,
clergy and others in the field of human service.
Dates and Registration for ASIST Workshops
5. Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk for Mental Health Professionals
This “core competency” course is a one-day training for professionals who work in a mental health
setting. Participants learn advanced skills in the on-going assessment and management of clients at
risk for suicide.
6. Student Education Programs
It is well documented that young people in distress will first go to their peers for help. For that
reason, a comprehensive school-based youth suicide prevention program includes a level of training
specifically designed for students. Several excellent evidence-based programs are available to teach
basic identification and help-seeking skills to young people. Middle school, high school and college
versions are available. Note: It is essential that school divisions first train adults (faculty and
support staff) before training students.
7. Training in related areas for school communities
The following one-day workshops are designed to be practical and to help participants plan a “next
step” within their home schools.
a. Developing a comprehensive school based suicide prevention plan - Education handson
collaboration and on-going consultation to help school divisions develop these important
documents. The policies and guidelines created in this workshop will, in turn, guide prevention,
intervention and postvention strategy and practice.
b. Identifying and Supporting Students With Depression Within a School Setting – Used
most often with school counselors, administrative staff, school psychologists, social workers,
nurses, and teachers of alternative education.
c. School Based Suicide Postvention- For school counselors, administrators and crisis
intervention teams. This is a “Best Practice” guide to responding quickly and thoughtfully
following a fatality by suicide within the school community.
8. Training and Support for Community Coalitions
While financial and material resources often come from federal or state agencies, the most essential
prevention services are planned and implemented on a smaller scale, within communities.
Strengthening and supporting community leaders and teams is an important part of prevention work
of any sort. We want to help in that effort.
Toward that end, we sponsor a variety of trainings through the Suicide Prevention Resource Center
that are specifically for community coalition members. These trainings can run from two hours to half
a day, and can be scheduled consecutively.
Topics include:
a. Taking a public health approach to suicide prevention
b. Understanding and using data
c. Effective use of the media in community based suicide prevention work
d. Action planning
e. Creating a logic model and a framework for evaluation
f. Replicating evidence-based practices
For more information, contact:
Jane Wiggins, Ph.D., Director
Central Shenandoah Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative
Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services
James Madison University
wigginjr@jmu.edu
(540) 568-8901 |
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