Suicide Prevention Training

Helping people at risk of suicide

Community Gatekeeper training is designed to help make BC communities safer – and help save lives – by preparing key members of every community with skills to help people who are at risk of suicide. Community Gatekeepers are people who have been trained to recognize when someone could be at risk of suicide, talk with them, help keep them safe, and connect them to community supports and resources. They are trusted community members who often hold a position of responsibility in the community such as first responders, HR professionals, community service providers, Elders and spiritual leaders, coaches, teachers and others, and have regular contact with many adults or older adults. Community Gatekeeper training follows curriculum shown to be effective at increasing knowledge, skill and willingness to intervene, as well as helping reduce the risk of suicide. Two levels of training are available:

safeTALK is an alertness training that prepares anyone, regardless of prior experience, to become a suicide-alert helper. Participants learn how to recognize people with thoughts of suicide and connect them to people who can keep them safe.

• Download the safeTALK flyer half-day training info sheet

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is for everyone, regardless of prior experience, who wants to be able to provide suicide first aid. During the two-day interactive session, participants learn to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide.

• Download the ASIST two-day training info sheet

We provide training open to the community. You can find upcoming dates here.

You can also book safeTALK or ASIST for your community or workplace. For group rates, call 250 493 8999 or email Leah.Schulting@cmha.bc.ca

Suicide Prevention training follows curriculum developed by LivingWorks Education.