Learning and Training
Information about
ASIST Courses
Contents
Page
What is ASIST?
1
Why do we need ASIST?
1
Where does ASIST come from?
2
Does ASIST work?
2
How will you benefit?
2
The ASIST Programme
3
Registered ASIST Caregiver Award
4
Who should attend?
4
How many people should do ASIST?
4
How much does it cost?
4
Who delivers the course?
4
Training for Trainers - ASIST
4
About the ASIST Trainers in Plymouth
5
Plymouth Mental Health and Wellbeing Training Forum
5
ASIST Tune Up
5
ASIST Courses now available in Plymouth
6
Book a Course!
6
Plymouth ASIST Evaluation
6
Further Information
6
What is ASIST?
ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is an interactive and practical two day
course which enables you become more confident and able to identify risk and intervene to
prevent the immediate risk of suicide.
Why do we need ASIST?
Suicide is a tragedy for individuals, their families and friends. It has an impact on society as a
whole, in terms of loss of life and lost contribution. Suicide rates in the South West, across
England, have increased since 2007, with an average of 460
deaths by suicide and undetermined deaths in the region per year. Those most at risk of
suicide are men aged 35-44 and 85 and over, and that there is a clear link with socioeconomic
deprivation.
Hospital admissions for self-harm have also increased, with the South West experiencing a
73% rise between 2002/03 and 2008/09 – the second highest in England. The fastest rise in
rates of self-harm is among girls and young women aged 15-24, but 5% of admissions are
people aged 65 and over. Together, these statistics reveal mental and physical suffering on a
scale that should concern us all.
ASIST has been introduced in Plymouth as part of the development of a local Suicide
Prevention Strategy and implementation plan as part of the national Suicide Prevention
Strategy for England (2011) and action to prevent and reduce suicide.
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Where does it ASIST come from?
ASIST was developed in the early 1980s by four individuals at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada.
In 1991, these four set up the company, LivingWorks Education (LWE), to market the course outside
Alberta.
Approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO), ASIST is a standardised, certified programme
teaching a robust model of suicide intervention with 6 easy-to-remember steps. Since 1985, ASIST has
been delivered to over one million caregivers in more than ten countries.
Today 5,000 registered trainers deliver ASIST around the world. ASIST is a recognized exemplary program
(CDC, 1992), now widely disseminated in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland
and the United States. It has been adopted statewide in California, Washington, Colorado, Tennessee,
Oregon, Virginia and region/county-wide in Alaska, Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, and
Texas. It is the approved training program for the Army and extensively used by the Air Force.
Does ASIST work?
The ASIST programme has been evaluated by more than 15 independent evaluation studies, including
two Ph.D. studies (e.g. Farrell and Maniprize, 1992; Tierney, 1994; Turley and Tanney, 1998; Eggert et al,
1999, MacDonald, 1999; Guttormsen et al, 2003).
 LivingWorks received the 2002 Canadian Policy Research Knowledge Broker Award, designed to
celebrate excellence by Canadian individuals, groups or organizations in the policy research field
whose work helped facilitate and improve the transfer of knowledge.
http://www.livingworks.net/userfiles/file/proof.pdf
 Scotland Government (May 2008). The use and impact of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills
Training (ASIST) in Scotland Choose Life: An Evaluation ASISTEvaluationFullReport.pdf . The
implementation of ASIST in Scotland had raised awareness of suicide and reduced stigma and
fear — and that the course had given a range of people the knowledge and skills they need to
help those at risk of suicide. The evidence from the Scottish evaluation suggests that, to make the
greatest impact, suicide prevention training should be targeted at those individuals and groups
who have most opportunity to use the skills because they work with, or live beside, people from
sections of society most at risk of suicide — for example, people living in areas of deprivation and
those affected by drug and alcohol problems.
 New research from Public Health Wales shows that training given by Mind Cymru’s Positive
Choices project is making a real difference to people’s willingness to discuss and tackle suicide
and self-harm. http://www.positivechoices-wales.org/en/NewsEvents/publications/asist-inwales-impact-and-effectiveness-english.html
How will you benefit?
As an ASIST-trained first aid intervention caregiver, you will be better able to:
 Identify people having thoughts of suicide.
 Reach an understanding of the reasons for a person's suicidal thoughts and their reasons for
wanting to live.
 Review immediate risk and develop a plan to increase safety.
 follow up on all safety commitments, accessing further help as needed.
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The ASIST Programme
The ASIST programme is a two-day practical workshop developing skills through observation and
supervised simulation (including role play by all participants) in large and small groups. ASIST is intended
as 'suicide first-aid' training. ASIST aims to enable helpers (anyone in a position of trust) to become more
willing, ready and able to recognise and intervene effectively to help persons at risk of suicide.
As a suicide intervention programme ASIST is based on certain fundamental assumptions about suicide:
 suicide is a community-wide health problem
 suicide is not mental illness
 thoughts of suicide are understandable, complex and personal
 suicide can be prevented
 most people with thoughts of suicide want to live
 most people with thoughts of suicide indicate, directly or indirectly, that they want help to live
 help-seeking is encouraged by open, direct and honest talk about suicide
 the best way to identify people with thoughts of suicide is to ask them directly about their
thoughts
 relationships are the context of suicide intervention
 intervention should be the main suicide prevention focus
 cooperation is the essence of intervention
 intervention skills are known and can be learned
 large numbers of people can be taught intervention skills
 evidence of effectiveness should be broadly defined
The two day intensive course aims to:
 To increase the comfort zone of learners.
 Allow safe exploration of attitudes and experiences.
 Consider various myths about suicide.
 Build relationships within teams.
 Address needs of different client groups.
 Provide a shared model of suicide intervention.
The course uses small and large groups, and requires active participation by the participants. Flexible
teaching styles, simulation exercises (role play), learning aids and audio-visual materials encourage a high
level of participation. Two highly acclaimed award winning videos are used exclusively in the course.
Much of the learning occurs in small work groups. This format encourages the development of
participation, trust, acceptance and mutual support. It breaks down barriers, focuses attention and
heightens learning.
Each participant will receive a certificate, a wallet-sized reference card plus the Suicide Intervention
Handbook on CD-ROM. For more information about this course, please visit the ASIST page at
http://www.livingworks.net/
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Registered ASIST Caregiver Award
It is expected that everyone partaking in the course will do so with the intention of becoming a registered
ASIST Caregiver which will be awarded to all those completing the two day course (including participation
in role play and all exercises). It is anticipated that all ASIST Caregivers will also register to be part of an
on-going network of Caregivers in Plymouth providing a forum for support, sharing experiences and best
practice.
Who should attend?
ASIST is suitable for everyone including community members, mental health professionals, nurses,
managers, teachers, counsellors, youth workers, emergency service personnel, prison officers, armed
forces and faith leaders. No previous mental health or suicide prevention experience is necessary.
During the workshop you will have an opportunity to explore any personal or professional experiences
with suicide. You will also have space to examine your own attitudes about suicide and people who are
at risk of suicide. Space is allowed to focus on how your experiences with suicide impact on your beliefs
and attitudes about using suicide first aid.
The course uses small and large groups, and requires active participation by the participants. Flexible
teaching styles, simulation exercises (role play), learning aids and audio-visual materials encourage a high
level of participation.
Your workshop trainers will be available to offer support and will work hard to create a learning
atmosphere where participants can also encourage and support each other and have some fun.
The workshop can be tiring and it is important you try to leave the evenings free to relax.
Due to the sensitive nature of this course please be aware that if you have had any personal experience
of suicide – especially recent, you may find some aspects difficult.
How many people should do ASIST?
Recommended MHFA Standards currently being developed:
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Minimum of 12 places filled to proceed with course (10 on the day)
2 trainers for 2 day course (max 1-10 trainers participant ratio)
8-10 of each of the courses with 16 max per course so 128 – 160 participants PA
Partnership Programme Delivery
ASIST essential for PHIT staff (TBC)
ASIST essential for all non-professionally affiliated front line health/social care/community staff (TBC)
ASIST essential for key frontline workers/community members (TBC)
ASIST for one in ten staff/members of every organisation/community group (TBC)
All courses have substantial evidenced base and accredited to Living Works
Participants free registration/membership to Winning Ways to Mental Health and Wellbeing training
‘participants support and on-going learning zone.’
Participants free subscription to Plymouth Wise PMHN Magazine
How much does it cost?
ASIST is provided by PCH PHIT is funded and subsidised by Public Health Plymouth City Council.
Who delivers the course?
The course can only be delivered by a specially selected, trained and approved person. This ensures that
all have the required level of knowledge, skills and experience, that there is consistency in delivery and
that the quality of the delivery of the course can be monitored. In Plymouth, PCH Public Health
Improvement Team has been commissioned to manage, train and provide on-going support and CPD for
four trainers to deliver ASIST.
Training for Trainers
Find out more by contacting Sue Hall shall18@nhs.net
About the ASIST Trainers in Plymouth
Neil Minion (Plymouth Community Healthcare PHIT) neil.minion@nhs.net
Cathryn Keeble (Plymouth Community Healthcare PHIT) cathrynkeeble@nhs.net
Nic White (Plymouth Community Healthcare PHIT) nicholaswhite1@nhs.net
Richard Wakerell (Plymouth Mind) training@plymouthmind.com
Sue Hall (Plymouth Community Healthcare PHIT ASIST Training Programme Manager) shall18@nhs.net
The ASIST trainers from a variety of backgrounds including Health, Mental Health, Public Sector and all
have previous experience of delivering training. This means participants can receive additional benefits
from directly experiencing how the skills learnt in ASIST are applicable across all sectors of our
communities. All ASIST trainers are Living Works accredited.
Plymouth Community Healthcare Public Health Improvement Team and Plymouth Mind deliver ASIST as
part of their commitment to the promoting the mental health and wellbeing and preventing suicide in
Plymouth in partnership.
Plymouth Mental Health and Wellbeing Training Forum
The forum was established in September 2012 with the aim to develop and deliver a MHWB awareness
and education programme (including Mental Health First Aid, MHFA Lite, MHFA Youth, IBA and ASIST)
within Plymouth as a partnership to key organisations, local communities and high risk groups to
improve the mental health literacy and support for people who may be experiencing emotional distress
and to provide professional support and consultation to optimise and ensure best practice. The Forum
also supports the on-going support and development of the trainers.
Find out more by contacting Sue Hall shall18@nhs.net
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ASIST Tune Up
ASIST Tune Up is currently being developed with the intention for delivery commencing in December
2014.
ASIST Tune Up will be designed as a ‘refresher’ opportunity for people who have already completed
ASIST training.
It is intended that ASIST Tune Up will aim to review the key concepts and skills that participants learned
in ASIST, including examining attitudes to suicide, reviewing risk, making safe plans and the use of the
Suicide Intervention Model.
MHFA Tune Up will also provide participants an opportunity to reflect on their experiences of using the
ASIST model, share this with other ASIST-trained community members and reacquaint themselves with
resources and networks available to them.
MHFA participants will access free registration/membership to Winning Ways to Mental Health and
Wellbeing training participants support and on-going learning zone and a free subscription to Plymouth
Wise PMHN Magazine.
ASIST Courses now available in Plymouth
See Mental Health and Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention Training Programme.
ASIST Tune Up
Course and dates to be confirmed and published on the Mental Health and Wellbeing and Suicide
Prevention Training Programme
Book a Course!
To book places please email PCHCIC.PHITMHWBtraining@nhs.net .
Plymouth ASIST Evaluation
Pre-training Questionnaire, Training Evaluation and Post Training Questionnaires to:
 Ascertain impact of learning – understanding, knowledge and skills
 Influence and measure changes in behaviour and attitudes
 Test validity of learning
 Measure PHIT MHWB/SP and PHIT service outcomes
 Support programme sustainability
A Course Evaluation Annual Report will be published at the end of each financial year.
Further Information
If you'd like any information relating to ASIST in Plymouth please contact ring the ASIST Training
Manager or one of the ASIST trainers
You can find out more about ASIST at http://www.livingworks.net/
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By
Sue Hall
Public Health Improvement Team, Mental Health Promotion Lead Plymouth Community Healthcare
Plymouth Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotion Strategy Steering Group Chair
Winning Ways to Mental Health and Wellbeing Campaign Lead
ASIST Leaflet author, editor and producer
And
Debbie Roche Plymouth
Mental Health Network Co-ordinator
Co- producer
Version 1 SH (01.12.2013)