Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid provided by LivingWorks Education, an international suicide intervention company that trains community service providers who work in contexts supporting youth, including schools. Through the workshop participants learn how to understand the ways that personal and societal attitudes affect suicide interventions, identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it, provide support to those at risk for suicide in ways that meet their individual safety needs, and recognize the importance of suicide prevention including life-promotion and self-care. The ASIST program is designed for participants aged 16 and older. No previous formal health or mental healthcare training is needed to attend the workshop.

ASIST has undergone numerous independent evaluations, which can be viewed by clicking here.

Available evidence indicates that it is a “Promising Program” for increasing personal resilience and self-concept according to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA; see here).