Suicide Prevention Training

The HELP!Line is able to provide three different trainings: ASIST, QPR, and suicideTalk. ASIST training is specifically designed for caregivers and teaches suicide intervention skills. Both trainings (ASIST and suicideTalk) were developed by LivingWorks, an internationally acclaimed agency dedicated to suicide prevention and intervention. QPR was developed by the QPR Institute. The HELP!Line has staff members that are certified in all trainings and detailed information about the trainings can be found below.

How can I arrange a Suicide Prevention training?
Trainings may be arranged by contacting the HELP!Line Center by phone at 605-339-4357 or e-mail help@helplinecenter.org.

Available Suicide Prevention Trainings

What is ASIST?
ASIST is an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. The workshop is for caregivers who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. The training provides a practical fact-to-face model for all caregivers to follow when encountering a suicidal person.

What skills will the ASIST training teach?
After the training participants will be able to:

Deal effectively with personal and societal attitudes about suicide
Discuss suicide with an at-risk person in a direct and helpful manner
Identify an at-risk person and make a plan to help
List the resources available to help a person at risk for suicide
Have confidence in being an effective resource for yourself
Be part of a team improving the community's response to suicide

Who should attend an ASIST Training?
Counselors - Teachers - Ministers - Social Workers - Nurses - Case Managers - Natural Helpers - People concerned about family or friends.

What makes ASIST different?
CONNECTING: Connecting give caregivers an opportunity to clarify and examine their own attitudes toward people exhibiting suicidal behavior. Through connecting, caregivers can overcome attitudinal barriers that may hinder their learning and their helpfulness.

UNDERSTANDING: Viewing a suicidal situation through the eyes of an at-risk person helps caregivers understand how to take care of that person's concerns. Caregivers practice how to apply their understanding in simulated scenarios involving suicide risk.

ASSISTING: Caregivers learn the Suicide Intervention Model as a framework for understanding the process of suicide intervention. Caregivers intensively apply suicide first aid, including connecting, understanding, and assisting skills in intensive practice situations.

How much does ASIST training cost?
The 2 day training has a registration fee of $250. The trainings are offered periodically throughout the calendar year. Please contact the HELP!Line Center for scheduled dates. Trainings can also be arranged specifically for your organization by contacting the HELP!Line Center by phone at 605-339-4357 or by email athelpline@helplinecenter.org

What is QPR?
QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer, three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives.

Why should my organization use QPR?
Experts agree suicide is a preventable form of death, and that lives can be saved with the implementation of comprehensive, evidence-based suicide risk reduction strategies. Participants first learn about the nature of suicidal communications, what forms these communications take and how they may be used as a stimulus for a QPR intervention. They are introduced to the research support for QPR to prevent suicide. Enhanced skills training across the spectrum of service organizations, business and industry staff and other community members can dramatically lower the risk that a community member will attempt or will die by suicide.

What will QPR participants learn?

To identify and refer individuals at-risk for suicide
To serve as crisis intervention volunteers within family, social and work groups in which they participate
To use a “best practices” method of suicide risk assessment and management
To understand the causes of suicide, how intervention and treatment saves lives, and how to enhance protective factors that help prevent suicide among their acquaintances.

What is the cost of QPR training?
The 1-2 hour training is provided for a nominal charge in the Sioux Falls area. Trainings outside of the Sioux Falls area include costs for travel expenses and a presentation fee.

suicideTalk is a 90-minute to half-day session that invites interested community members to become more aware of suicide prevention opportunities in their community. Dealing openly with the stigma around suicide, this exploration focuses upon the question, "Should we talk about suicide?" As a suicideTALK-informed session member, you will be better able to:

understand how personal and community beliefs about suicide affect suicide stigma and safety
appreciate how the steps taught in suicideTalk can be used to help prevent suicide
choose among ways to help protect, preserve, and promote life in a suicide-safer community

suicideTalk can be customized for any community. Intriguing questions and a number of handouts stimulate learning. Discover commitments that you want to make.