A team of clinicians and researchers at the University of Michigan will lead a two-day interactive workshop that focuses on suicide first aid.
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The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, available to faculty and staff March 16-17 at the Michigan Union, will teach participants how to recognize when someone may be at risk of suicide and how to work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Registration costs $95.
The workshop is sponsored by a multidisciplinary team at U-M that secured a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant to help increase capacity for suicide prevention across campus.
The team includes staff from the Mary A. Rackham Institute, Counseling and Psychological Services, University Health Service, Department of Psychiatry and Comprehensive Depression Center, Division of Public Safety and Security, Spectrum Center, the International Center, Veteran and Military Services Program, and the Dean of Students’ Office.
“One important goal of our grant is to identify and train university ‘suicide prevention champions’ who are able to put new skills into action to support vulnerable members of our campus community,” said Cynthia Ewell Foster, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and principal investigator on the grant.
“We all have a role to play in preventing suicide, both clinicians and non-clinicians alike. Evidence-based training like ASIST allows us all to feel more knowledgeable and prepared to support those around us.”
As part of the workshop, faculty and staff will learn to:
- Understand the ways personal and societal attitudes affect views on suicide and interventions.
- Provide guidance and suicide first aid to a person at risk in ways that meet their individual safety needs.
- Identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it.
- Appreciate the value of improving and integrating suicide prevention resources in the community at large.
- Recognize other important aspects of suicide prevention, including life promotion and self-care.
The workshop is co-sponsored by the university’s Out of the Darkness student group.
