Learn about suicide first aid,

and intervening to prevent the immediate risk of suicide.

Register today to secure your seat for this in-person training!

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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

Instructor

Shari Sinwelski, MS/EdS, LPCC, NCC

Vice President of Crisis Care

Shari Sinwelski, LPCC: Shari is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of California, and has nearly 30 years of experience in mental health, rape crisis, domestic violence, crisis intervention, suicide prevention and contact center management. As Vice President of Crisis Care at the Suicide Prevention Center at Didi Hirsch, she oversees all suicide prevention programs, including the implementation of 988. Shari has also served as the Deputy Director of the National Suicide Prevention Hotline leading the organization on the preparation for the national implementation of 988. She has directed several hotlines that are part of the Lifeline including: the Suicide Prevention Center in Los Angeles, Vialink in New Orleans and 211 Big Bend in Tallahassee. Shari has trained thousands of individuals in crisis intervention, suicide prevention and contact center management. She has provided subject matter expertise and mental health support on programming on national publications, major television networks and Broadway productions. She holds a BS in Psychology and Master’s and Educational Specialist degrees in Mental Health Counseling from Florida State University.

Instructor

Rebecca Zeitlin, LMFT

Crisis Line Director

Rebecca Zeitlin, LMFT, is the Crisis Line Director of the Suicide Prevention Center at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Rebecca provides direct supervision of Assistant Program Directors, Program Coordinators, Shift Supervisors and Crisis Line Counselors and oversees the daily operations of the Suicide Crisis Line, including call-taking for the 988 Lifeline in Southern California. Since 2007, Rebecca has also worked as a Volunteer Suicide Prevention Counselor, Shift Supervisor, Program Coordinator and Assistant Program Director at the Suicide Prevention Center. Rebecca is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and facilitates Survivors of Suicide Attempts support groups along with seeing individual clients. Being part of the Suicide Crisis Line for over 10 years, Rebecca is now a Master Trainer in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and plays a large role in providing training for new Volunteer Crisis Counselors at the Suicide Prevention Center.

Continuing Education Information

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 CCAPP-EI, Provider Number 5-15-237-0825 for 13 CEHs.

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. There will be no partial credit. Continuing Education contact hours will not be provided for lunch, break times, and administrative check-in/out time..

There is no commercial support for this continuing education seminar. Seminars are coordinated by Giselle Collins, Training Director at [email protected]. If you have any questions, concerns or grievances regarding this seminar or our continuing education program, please contact Giselle Collins, Training Director at [email protected]. When possible, arrangements can be made to accommodate participants with special needs, please contact Tara Palacios - [email protected] for more information. Continuing Education Award certificates will be distributed within a week after the seminar is completed.

Reserve your seat!

Monday, August 18, 2025 and Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 8:00am-4:30pm PST

  • Date & Time

    August 18 &19, 2025, 8:00am-4:30pm

  • Location

    10277 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067

  • Questions?

    Contact our Training Team at: https://didihirsch.org/training/suicide-prevention-training/

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).