More people are dying from suicide than in all of the several armed conflicts around the world and, in many places, about the same or more than those dying from traffic accidents. For every suicide, there are approximately 100 times more who injure themselves from nonfatal suicidal behaviors. In any year, approximately 6% of the population have serious thoughts of suicide. How can further deaths and injuries be prevented? How can we support people to choose life when painful experiences prevent them from seeing a way forward?

Most people considering suicide signal their distress and their intent. Training can help us see and respond to these invitations to help. It can provide the confidence to ask about suicide if we are concerned about someone's safety. It can provide us with the tools to help prevent the immediate risk of suicide.

ASIST provides practical help for caregivers seeking to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Participants often include:

- people concerned about family, friends
- counselors, teachers and ministers
- workers in health, welfare or justice
- community volunteers
- emergency service workers
- mental health practitioners

The interactive program includes teaching, discussion, videos and skills practice. Attendance at the full two days is essential.

The emphasis of the ASIST workshop is on suicide first-aid, on helping a person at risk stay safe and seek further help. Learn how to:

- recognize opportunities for help
- reach out and offer support
- estimate the risk of suicide
- apply a model for suicide intervention
- link people with community resources

Evaluations have shown that the workshop increases caregivers' knowledge and confidence to respond to a person at risk of suicide.

For more information about ASIST, contact (905) 436 - 8760 ext. 107