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An awareness program, like LivingWorks' suicideTALK, can serve a number of purposes. This presentation is for persons interested in learning more about suicide and what can be done to help those at risk. They are designed to stimulate or build on concern about suicide. They often provide basic information about signs of suicide risk along with initial helping steps. Some address the needs of those bereaved by suicide. Sometimes, broader issues about building more supportive suicide-aware networks in communities, schools and workplaces are discussed.
These programs usually provide basic information but do not offer opportunities to develop suicide intervention skills. Some find that attending an awareness presentation is sufficient for their needs and interest. Others choose to become more involved and recognize that they will need more skills to do this effectively.
Awareness presentations are shorter and aimed at the large number of persons who are sensitized to the problem of suicide. The goal is that members of the audience will identify ways that they can help. It is hoped that members of the audience will support suicide prevention and life-assisting programs in their communities and be more willing to refer persons at risk to helpers who are prepared to intervene. Most awareness audiences will recognize that there is more to learn before they feel willing, ready and able to intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide.
Crisis intervention training programs, like LivingWorks' Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), equip people to respond knowledgeably and competently to persons at risk of suicide. Participants learn and practice skills in identifying and responding to people at immediate risk of suicide. Just as "CPR" skills make physical first aid possible, training in suicide intervention develops the skills used in suicide first aid. Skills training programs should address caregiver attitudes towards suicide since these personal elements affect willingness to help and the effectiveness of the help. Such programs also typically explore options for linking people with resources for ongoing help.
Skills training programs are longer and aimed at persons in positions of trust. The persons best able to provide suicide first aid are the persons others turn to in times of trouble. In intervention skills programs, such persons are typically called caregivers or gatekeepers.
Intervention training programs are skills-based and provide a solid foundation for intervention and follow-up. Those participating in a suicide intervention skills workshop should leave feeling willing, ready and able to intervene to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Thus empowered, participants from an intervention skills training are often more willing to take a leadership role in suicide prevention and life-assisting programs.
Every community needs people who support suicide prevention as well as caregivers who are prepared to intervene.