UNISON Ulearn Northern Ireland

As part of UNISON’s commitment to continuing professional development we are offering the ASIST Suicide Intervention training targeted at nurses, social workers and ambulance staff. However, it may be of interest to members working in other areas. Places on an additional course are now available for June 21st & 22nd.

Applied Suicide Skills Intervention Training (ASIST) will facilitate participants to be ready and able to help people in suicide crises situations. The training is recognised by Health Trusts and DHSSPS and a certificate of attendance will be available for registration.

The firs course will take place from 9.15am - 4pm on Thursday April 26th and from 9.30am - 4pm on Friday 27th April in the offices of the West Belfast Parent Youth Support Group, 141 - 143 Falls Rd., Belfast (opposite the Royal Victoria Hospital old Children’s Hospital entrance).

Additional courses will take place on 8th & 9th of May and 21st & 22nd June also in the West Belfast Parent Youth Support Group office, with a third course scheduled for Omagh on May 31st & June 1st (limited places available).

Description of ASIST
A two day training course, with an emphasis on suicide first aid and helping a person at risk stay safe and seek further help. Attendance at the full two days is essential. ASIST was developed by Living Works Education in Canada.

ASIST has five learning sections:

Preparing - sets the tone, norms, and expectations of the learning experience.

Connecting - sensitizes participants to their own attitudes towards suicide. Creates an understanding of the impact which attitudes have on the intervention process.

Understanding - overviews the intervention needs of a person at risk. It focuses on providing participants with the knowledge and kills to recognise risk and develop their skills through observation and supervised simulation experiences in large and small groups.

Assisting - presents a model for effective suicide intervention. Participant develop their skills through observation and supervised simulation experiences in large and small groups.

Networking - generates information about resources in the local community. Promotes a commitment by participants to recognise and develop safeplans to reduce risk of suicide and to transform local resources into helping networks.

Emphasising structured small-group discussions and practice, the course uses a 20-page workbook and two audiovisuals. Participants receive a 154-page Suicide Intervention Handbook and a colour, laminated pocket card featuring intervention, risk review and safeplan development principles

Places are limited, if you would like to attend this training, please return an application form Check out our other Continuting Professional Development Programmes
Tues 12th June Dementia Study Day
Thurs 30th Aug Supporting Young People Who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans
Fri 28th Sept Communicating Effectively with People with Learning Disabilities
Wed 24th Oct Mental Health Awareness
Sept (date tbc) Palliative Care
Tues 20th Nov Wound Assessment & Suturing