LivingWorks ASIST & I-ASIST

Program description

LivingWorks ASIST & I-ASIST are suicide intervention training skills programs that teach participants how to recognise suicide, provide a skilled intervention for a person experiencing thoughts of suicide, and create a safety plan. The programs also promote help seeking for issues relating to suicide.

Both programs run as a workshop for teachers or students aged 16+. Participants learn to be suicide intervention helpers and the programs prepare them to be confident in providing suicide first aid. Participants learn how to keep a person with thoughts of suicide ‘safe-for-now’.

I-ASIST was co-designed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. To select this option, the majority of participants must be Indigenous. Both programs are delivered by experienced trainers.

School staff can also attend the Training for Trainers (T4T) option. This is a 5-day course that teaches school staff to present the ASIST workshop.

Intended outcomes

• Increased ability to provide guidance and suicide first-aid to a person with thoughts of suicide in ways that meet their individual safety needs
• Understanding of elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it
• Understand how personal and societal attitudes affect views on suicide and interventions
• Appreciate the value of improving and integrating suicide prevention resources in the community at large
• Recognise other important aspects of suicide prevention, including life promotion and self-care

Program details

Implementation considerations

• Target population: The ASIST workshops are designed for any young people aged 16+ and the T4T option is aimed at school staff over the age of 18. LivingWorks I-ASIST has been developed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
• Program adaptability: The program is suitable for diverse cohorts including:
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • culturally and linguistically diverse students
  • LGBTIQA+ students.
• Training requirements: The training sessions will require one room large enough to accommodate a large group (30 participants) and depending on group size, 2–3 small rooms in reasonable proximity to the large group room. Basic Audio-Visual infrastructure such as a screen and projector with sound is also required.
• Factors to consider: There is a minimum of 8 participants and maximum of 30 for workshops, and a time commitment of 2 days for ASIST and 2.5 days for I-ASIST. The T4T option requires a time commitment of 5 days (40 hours) plus any additional self-study time, with ongoing mentoring, feedback, and support provided.
• Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$5,000+

Detailed cost

The cost for a LivingWorks private ASIST workshop is $12,540 (including GST). The cost for a LivingWorks I-ASIST workshop is $22,000 (including GST). Both options include:

• trainer fee for 2 x Trainers, including payment for training license, preparation and delivery
• training license
• 30 x LivingWorks ASIST participant kits
• support from a designated LivingWorks contact for workshop planning, registration, and administration processes.

The cost for a LivingWorks ASIST T4T is $46,750–$105,600 (including GST) depending on the number of trainer candidates.