ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is an evidence-based suicide prevention and intervention training program available in Prince George and throughout British Columbia. This intensive, two-day, in-person workshop teaches participants how to recognize when someone may be at risk of suicide, have a direct and supportive conversation, provide skilled intervention, and develop a plan to help keep the person safe while connecting them with appropriate supports.
Through ASIST suicide prevention and intervention training, participants develop skills to:
- Recognize the signs that someone may be at risk of suicide.
- Provide immediate and effective support by engaging the person in a conversation.
- Safely assess the level of risk and create a safety plan to ensure the person gets the help they need.
- Help individuals connect with professional resources, such as therapists or counsellors, for ongoing support.
Who Should Attend ASIST?
ASIST suicide intervention training is appropriate for people who may encounter someone at risk of suicide in their workplace, community, or personal life. Participants may include:
- Mental health and community-service workers
- Healthcare professionals
- Educators and school staff
- First responders and public-safety personnel
- Indigenous and community organizations
- Workplace leaders and employees
- Social service and nonprofit workers
- Friends, family members, and community members
No previous suicide prevention or mental health training is required.
Key Benefits:
- Empowers participants to respond effectively and confidently to someone in crisis.
- Offers a practical, hands-on approach to suicide prevention.
- Helps break the stigma around discussing suicide, encouraging open and supportive conversations.
SafeTALK (Suicide Alertness for Everyone)
SafeTALK is an in person, half-day, interactive training program that teaches participants how to recognize signs of suicidal thoughts and connect individuals to the appropriate resources for help. Unlike ASIST, which is more in-depth, SafeTALK is designed for anyone and provides a more general introduction to suicide prevention.
What Participants Learn:
- How to recognize verbal and non-verbal signs that someone might be considering suicide.
- The importance of responding to those signs with care, openness, and empathy.
- How to ask direct, compassionate questions about suicide and listen non-judgmentally.
- How to connect the individual to trained professionals or suicide prevention resources.
Who Should Attend SafeTALK?
SafeTALK is open to everyone—friends, family, community members, and professionals. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to gain the skills to recognize and respond to suicidal behavior and make a positive impact on others’ lives.
Key Benefits:
- Provides essential skills for anyone to act as a “connector” to resources for individuals at risk.
- Easy to learn and apply, with no prior training required.
- Offers a community-based approach to suicide prevention by building awareness and increasing support networks.
In Summary:
- ASIST is a comprehensive, two-day training that prepares participants to directly intervene with someone at risk of suicide and help them access professional support.
- SafeTALK is a shorter, half-day program designed to increase awareness of the warning signs of suicide and teach participants how to connect someone to help.
Both ASIST and SafeTALK are suicide prevention training programs designed to build safer, more suicide-alert communities. ASIST provides comprehensive suicide intervention skills, while SafeTALK focuses on recognizing when someone may need help and connecting them with appropriate supports.
Raven Workplace Mental Health Training and Consulting 