• Date & Time

    February 10 & 11, 8:00am-4:30pm

  • Location

    10277 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067

  • Questions?

    Contact Megan McComb at: [email protected]

Reserve your seat today!

Training Description

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day intensive, interactive and practicedominated course designed to teach a method for intervening to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. It is considered to be one of the most widely used suicide intervention training workshops in the world, given its ability to reduce suicidality. The intervention model, described as “suicide first aid”, provides information on suicide risk assessment, the development of safety plans and the utilization of community supports. Emphasis is placed on the importance of collaboration with the person at risk in responding to their unique needs. The instructional level of this training is intermediate.

Learning Objectives

After attending this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Discuss

    • Discuss the focus of ASIST as suicide first aid

  • Describe

    • Describe the extent of frequency of suicides • Describe the prevalence of reported and unreported suicides • Describe how personal beliefs and attitudes can affect suicide interventions • Describe the value of personal support networks for persons with thoughts of suicide

  • List

    • List risk factors that may contribute to someone having thoughts of suicide • List the six needs of a person with thoughts of suicide as described in the Pathway for Assisting Life intervention model • List the basic caregiver tasks as described in the Pathway for Assisting Life intervention model

  • Explain

    • Explain the importance of asking people directly about thoughts of suicide • Explain how role choices may impact the way in which assistance is provided to a person with thoughts of suicide • Explain how community resources can benefit a person with thoughts of suicide • Explain the value of self-care strategies for someone working with persons with suicidal thoughts

  • Utilize

    • Utilize interviewing strategies to identify a person with thoughts of suicide • Utilize strategies to assist people in discussing their story related to thoughts of suicide • Utilize strategies to develop a plan to increase safety for a person with suicidal thoughts for an agreed amount of time • Utilize strategies for confirming an action plan to keep a person safe related to thoughts of suicide

  • Summarize

    • Summarize the main components of the Pathway for Assisting Life intervention model

Target Audience

Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, MFTis, ASWs, psychiatrists, Care Coordinators, volunteers, Master’s level students, psychology interns and psychology practicum students, RNs/LVNs and others who want to understand the most updated information and best practices.

Instructor

Carina Adra

Crisis Line Training Program Manager

Carina is a dedicated mental health professional with a strong foundation in counseling and crisis intervention. As a Training and Volunteer Coordinator at the Suicide Prevention Center, she orients staff and volunteer counselors to the crisis line by providing foundational training and facilitating ongoing professional development. Her work ensures that counselors are well-equipped to support individuals in crisis with empathy and effectiveness. Carina holds a Master of Science in Counseling, specializing in School Counseling, with over eight years of experience working with diverse populations in K-12 and higher education settings. Her previous roles focused on creating comprehensive counseling programs, managing crisis protocols, and teaching social-emotional learning curricula. Carina’s holistic approach and passion for mental health extend beyond her professional work, as she seeks to inspire and empower others to prioritize wellness and resilience in her day-to-day life.

Instructor

Alejandra Vargas, MSW

Assistant Program Director

Alejandra Vargas, MSW (they/them) is an ASIST Trainer and Assistant Program Director at the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center. With over a decade of experience in suicide prevention and nonprofit management, they lead the Spanish-language Suicide & Crisis hotline and chat/text services. Alejandra's academic foundation and lived experience informs a commitment to community empowerment through a social justice lens to address mental health disparities and inequity in care. This has led them to work in psychiatric urgent care, intern at the LA Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, provide psychotherapy to children & youth in the Los Angeles Skid Row community, and provide trainings in grief & loss to the LA County Coroner's Office. Alejandra earned a Masters in Social Welfare from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelors of Arts in Latin American/Latinx Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Continuing Education Information

  • CE Provider Status Statements

    Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services is approved as a continuing education award sponsor by the following accrediting organizations:

    • Course meets the qualifications for 13 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (CAMFT Provider #125787). Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
    • Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 13 CE credits awarded for this course.
    • California Board of Registered Nursing, provider #CEP14799 for 13 contact hours.
    • Provider approved by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP-EI), Provider Number 5-15-237-1227 for 13 CEHs.
  • Earning CEs for this training

    Continuing Education Credit will be offered for this training. Continuing Education Credit will only be offered to those individuals who arrive on time (within the first 15 minutes of the start time) and stay for the duration of the training, each day. There will be no partial credit. Continuing Education contact hours will not be provided for lunch, break times, and administrative check-in/out time.

    Continuing Education Award certificates will be distributed within two weeks of seminar completion.

  • CE Program Grievance Procedure
  • Program Administration

    Seminars are coordinated by Dr. Giselle Collins, Training Director. For concerns or grievances regarding this seminar or our continuing education program, please contact Dr. Collins at [email protected]. When possible, arrangements can be made to accommodate participants with special needs, please contact Tara Palacios at [email protected] for more information. 

    There is no commercial support for this continuing education seminar. 

  • Refund/ Cancellation Policy

    A full refund is available if cancellation is made at least 72 hours before the training start date. If cancellation is made (via email to the Training Director) less than 72 hours prior to course start date no refund will be made. Refunds will be automatically issued to the original form of credit card payment.

    All trainings are subject to cancellation.   In the event of a cancellation participants will be notified at the earliest possible date and will receive a full refund.

    For inquiries regarding refunds, contact Megan McComb at [email protected]

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Please note: If you need immediate assistance, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, go to 988lifeline.org/chat, or text HEARME to 839863 (for deaf or hard of hearing).