Workshops & Skill-building
The Suicide Awareness and Intervention Workshops are available through CMHA. Go to www.cmhagrb.on.ca for upcoming dates. For more information on these internationally recognized workshops developed by Living Works, go to www.livingworks.net.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
The ASIST workshop is for caregivers who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over one million caregivers have participated in this two-day, highly interactive, practical, practice-oriented workshop.
safeTALK, about three hours in duration, is a training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help to stay safe. Alert helpers know how to use these opportunities to support that desire for safety. As a safeTALK-trained suicide alert helper, you will be better able to:
- move beyond common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid suicide
- identify people who have thoughts of suicide
apply the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) to connect a person with suicide thoughts to suicide first aid, intervention caregivers.
suicideCare is a one-day, clinically oriented exploration of the challenges presented to and the competencies required of the helper who works with persons at risk of suicide on a longer-term basis. ASIST training is a prerequisite.
Skills for Safer Living – A 20 week Psychosocial/Psychoeducational intervention for people with recurrent suicide attempts. Some fundamental criteria must be met including 2 or more attempts, community support, stable housing and transportation to attend the weekly group. Once the 20 weeks are complete, individuals will be invited to continue with a Peer Suicide Intervention Support Group.
For a glimpse into the workings of the group, watch a video at: nfb.ca/film/drawing_from_life.
Interested applicants should call the Cambridge Centre for Mental Health – 519-740-7782 X 0.
Peer support groups, recovery tools, workbooks and much more are available free. Contact www.self-help-alliance.ca.
