Hearing a story of someone in crisis recently reminded me of the importance of developing skills that can be used to help someone in mental distress. Here’s a brief summary of three empowering workshops:
A four-hour workshop that teaches participants how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging with someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource.
Mental Health First Aid Canada
Offered by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, this 12-hour course teaches participants crisis first aid interventions for overdose, suicidal behaviour, panic attacks, psychotic episode, and acute stress reaction.
LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
A two-day workshop that teaches participants how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing an intervention, and developing a safety plan.
I would recommend any of the above training. After taking the training myself, I feel more confident in my ability to interact with someone who’s experience mental distress, and you never know, one day these skills might save a life.
Teaching Michael Fleming 