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

Sandri Kramer

Senior Director of Community Relations & Special Projects

Sandri Kramer, a founding member of the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Network (LASPN), has over 25 years of experience in suicide prevention/intervention and crisis center work. As Didi Hirsch’s Senior Director of Training & Community Engagement, she oversees the Suicide Prevention Center’s Crisis Line Training and Training & Outreach programs, as well as its Alternative Crisis Response team, and focuses on Innovation, Program Development, Community Partnerships, and Public Awareness/Training. After many years of grassroots work with law enforcement partners, overseeing the launch of LAPD’s 911 call diversion project is one of her proudest achievements. She is also currently working on strengthening and expanding the center’s collaborative partnerships with numerous law enforcement agencies on alternative crisis response and suicide prevention trainings, the implementation and growth of 9-8-8, and supporting the Los Angeles communities in the recovery from the devastating 2025 wildfires. She serves on numerous coalitions and task forces, including as a member of the LASPN Leadership Team, as a SME/advisor on SAMHSA’s “Advising People on Using (988 v 911: Practical Approaches for Healthcare Providers,” as a member of the Board of the Emergency Network Los Angeles (ENLA), as a lead trainer for CopLine, and as a member of LA’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) Community Partnership Council.

Instructor

Megan McComb

Training & Outreach Program Manager

Megan discovered her passion for education after teaching in Thailand from 2017-2018. This inspired her to become an Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, West Africa from 2018-2020, where she taught English, ran youth and adult English clubs, worked on grant projects to increase access to clean water, and facilitated girls' soccer clubs to promote gender equity. Afterward, she received a Fulbright grant to teach English to high school students and conduct mental health workshops in the Czech Republic. Megan is currently working as a Training and Volunteer Coordinator at SPC and is a Coverdell Fellowship recipient at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. In her spare time, Megan enjoys traveling, yoga, salsa dancing, and spending time in nature.

Instructor

Carina Adra

Training and Volunteer Coordinator

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

Elisa D'Carpio

Visiting ASIST Trainer

Elisa D'Carpio is a mental health professional with a focused passion for helping youth in underserved communities. She has over six years of experience empowering at-risk youth through Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Services including: evidence-based groups, specialized psychoeducation trainings, & community outreach. In her work with non-profits, she has collaboration with school districts & community/government organizations to implement these services to provide comprehensive mental health & suicide awareness.

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.

  • We are unable to offer CE credits to substance use counselors at this time.

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!

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 and Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 8:00am-4:30pm PST

  • Date & Time

    November 12 & 13, 2025, 8:00am-4:30pm

  • Location

    10277 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067

  • Questions?

    Contact our Training Team at: [email protected]

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).