Suicide is a significant social inequality and public health issue, with more than 6,000 people across the UK and ROI taking their own lives each year. Tens of thousands more attempt suicide. 10 local Liverpool city region organisations are now signed up to a local charities Suicide Aware mark.
The next ASIST course will be taking place on 10th and 11th March 2020
The mark recognises business who are dedicated to reducing the number of suicides across the Liverpool city region. Each business had designated staff members trained as specialist ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) practitioners, providing them with the skills and competences to actively intervene with a suicidal individual.
Caring Connections founded the Suicide Aware mark to support organisations to be better prepared in supporting suicidal individuals whether that be staff members, customers or in general day to day operations. The ASIST training is a globally recognised course with over 30 years of evidence on its effectiveness in application.
Organisations to achieve the mark include Everton in the Community, Aspire Combat Sports, Sean’s Place, Liverpool Community Advice, One Knowsley and Knowsley Disability Concern.
Paul Growney CEO of Caring Connections stated ‘ We are passionate about suicide prevention and aim to have 50 organisations signed up to the mark by the end of the year with the overarching aim to have the Liverpool city region as the most suicide aware region in the country.’
Dean Garnett founder of Aspire Combat Sports stated ‘We are really proud to be part of this new initiative and as both an individual and organisation in contact with many people we are passionate about reducing the number of suicides across the region’.
Caring Connections have their second cohort of ASIST training coming up in March with the aim of developing more suicide aware business. If your organisation would like to get involved with scheme please visit www.suicideaware.co.uk or call 0151 289 2761.
The next ASIST course will be taking place on 10th and 11th March 2020
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training is a comprehensive, interactive and evidence-based 2-day workshop recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It aims to teach participants skills to recognise and support the immediate safety of people who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide.
• Who can attend the workshop?
Anyone over the age of 16 can partake in these workshops.
• How many people will be the in workshop?
ASIST workshops work best with a minimum of 20 participants. We can train up to 30 participants per workshop.
• What resources are included?
Participant booklet
Community Helpers handout
Certificate of ASIST trained first aid caregiver.
• Who runs the workshops?
Our therapists, Deborah and Pamela, completed a “Training the Trainers” workshop in 2019. They are LivingWorks registered trainers.
• How often does The Barbara Bettle Foundation run ASIST workshops?
The view is to run the workshops every 3 months. This may be revised if demand for the workshops increases.
If you require any further information or to book onto the ASIST course, please contact:
Email: hannah.sowery@caringconnections.org.uk
Phone: 0151 289 2761
Visit: facebook.com/barbarabettlefoundation
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO READ TESTIMONUIALS VIEW: ASIST 2020