District II Alcohol and Drug Program of Sidney will be conducting an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) in Plentywood on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 15th and 16th from 8:30 to 4:30 each day. Training will be held at the Plentywood Lutheran Church located at 318 1st Avenue East in Plentywood, Montana.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) provides participants with the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to recognize persons at risk and to undertake appropriate management or referral of a person who is at risk of suicide. Suicide and non-fatal suicidal behaviors, ranging from gestures to suicide attempts, are far more common than most people realize. Almost everyone will come into contact with suicidal behaviors in some significant way during their lifetime. Many people are trained to administer first aid to someone having a heart attack, but very few people know emergency first aid for preventing suicide.
The ASIST workshop will deal directly with attitudes about suicide prevention. On the first day of the training, participants will learn how to recognize those persons who might be at risk by identifying a number of different signs and indicators. Some of the major warning signs of suicide include sudden changes in behavior or personality, previous suicide attempts, suicidal statements which express a desire or intention to die, and feelings of depression, helplessness, hopelessness, isolation, and loss. One of the most important first aid skills to have is the ability to ask directly about the suicide intentions of someone you are worried about. Skill development exercises and community networking activities will take up the entire second day of the workshop.
There is no cost for this workshop, and training is open to everyone, however we encourage gatekeepers such as teachers, school counselors, medical and mental health professionals, law enforcement, substance abuse treatment counselors, prevention and faith based professionals to participate. Participants will receive training books and materials and continuing education credits will be available. Breakfast and refreshments will be provided each day with lunch on your own. Training will be facilitated by certified ASIST Trainers, Tim Anderson, Clinical Director District II Alcohol & Drug Program, Tara Hubing, School Counselor, Circle Public Schools, Registration is necessary as class size is limited. To register, please contact Nicole Hackley at District II Alcohol & Drug Program at 433-4097 or email [email protected].
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