The vision of the suicide prevention community is a world free from suicide loss—a world where no one experiences the pain of a co-worker, friend, or family member taking their own life. We can all play a part toward advancing this vision.
LivingWorks ASIST is a leading suicide intervention training program, whose mission is to make that better world possible through high-quality training programs that empower everyone to make a difference, no matter who they are or what they do.
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service is proud to be hosting a free LivingWorks ASIST workshop in Ithaca on June 27-28 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The face-to-face workshop features powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations. Participants learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive. Studies show that ASIST participants gain the confidence to help save a life.
More than 30 peer-reviewed studies and government reports on LivingWorks ASIST have found that the training:
- Improves skills and readiness.
- Is safe for trainees, with no adverse effects from training.
- Increases hope and reduces suicidality through interventions.
- Increases general counseling and listening skills.
- Saves lives and costs, yielding a return on investment of up to 50:1.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Americans aged 10-34. Over the past five years, Tompkins County has averaged 12 suicide deaths per year. An estimated 300 people in our community may attempt suicide every year. Another 1,600 parents, children, siblings, friends, and spouses may be impacted by resulting psychological, spiritual, and/or financial loss.
While rates for other causes of death have remained steady or declined, the U.S. suicide rate increased 35.2% from 1999 to 2018. At any given time, one in 25 people is thinking about suicide to some degree.
LivingWorks ASIST is trusted by professionals yet learnable by anyone, Those who go through the workshop make their communities safer from suicide by providing life-saving interventions.
Please help us make our community suicide-safer.
HOW TO REGISTER:
To register, contact SPCS Executive Director Tiffany Bloss at blosst@ithacacrisis.org. Registration is free of charge. The workshop takes place June 27-28 at the Conference Center, South Hill Business Campus, 950 Danby Road, Ithaca. Light breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided.
—By Tiffany Bloss
Tiffany Bloss is the executive director of Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service in Ithaca
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