International Training in Suicide Intervention. ASIST T4T Melbourne. December 2007
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By Brendan Bergin
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One very early morning in early December last
year I boarded a 747 to Melbourne. The purpose was to attend
internationally recognised training as a facilitator in Applied Suicide
Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). This training is sought by
Government Departments, Mental Health Agencies and Health Providers
around the world.
In New Zealand the programme is presented by facilitators working in
partnership with Lifeline Aotearoa to bring the latest international
best practice, safe and effective, evidence-based skills in suicide
intervention to key people at all levels of society.
The programme aims to meet a key principle of the NZ Ministry of
Health’s Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006-2016, to build a
community-wide, multi-sectoral approach to suicide prevention. To
achieve this goal ASIST brings together professionals including doctors
and nurses, teachers and police officers, defence force personnel and
community gatekeepers, social workers and providers of services to
Maori society, teaching them techniques and skills to recognize when a
person may be at risk of suicide.
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It’s a community-based programme and many participants operate in key community positions and services where their ability to act on a suspicion that someone may be considering suicide is critical. We call it suicide first-aid.
While the facilitator trainings happen quite regularly it’s not too often that two Kiwis get to go along. My colleague on the trip was Rikeeta Tarak, a call handler on the Family Violence Information Line staffed by Lifeline team members.
Rikeeta is of Fijian Indian heritage and extremely well-prepared when it comes to supporting people at risk. I am the Manager of Suicide Prevention programmes at Lifeline Aotearoa and for me the training was an opportunity to learn about what’s involved in teaching the skills of a two day training.
Other participants came from a variety of backgrounds, including volunteers from Lifeline centres across Australia, members of the Australian Defence Forces and staff of local community health agencies. Everyone shared a strong vision of empowering people at risk of suicide to get support and resources, and to address their fears about living and dying.
Over the five days that followed our understanding of the complex themes related to suicide increased while our anxiety about becoming trainers diminished. Stories were shared, tears offered and a modality for intervention that acts as a catalyst for change in people’s lives appeared at the edge of the week’s horizon.
Now back in New Zealand Rikeeta and I feel equipped, trained and capable to engage people and agencies around Aotearoa in the important field of suicide education, awareness and intervention. The complex questions people have about living and dying.
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| For more details visit the LivingWorks website www.livingworks.org.nz or call our office on (09) 9099211. |
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