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Suicide intervention workshop coming to 100 Mile House

Canadian Mental Health Association will be hosting a suicide first-aid workshop Feb. 27 and 28

The Canadian Mental Health Association will be hosting a suicide first-aid workshop Feb. 27 and 28 in 100 Mile House.

The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASIST, teaches participants to identify when someone may be suicidal and how to work with the person at risk of suicide and how to work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.

"Much like first aid, having the knowledge, skills and confidence to help someone at risk can be the difference between life and death," said Kathy Provost in a release. Provost is a community mental health worker with CMHA and will be running the workshops.

The ASIST program is designed for anyone 16 and up to learn and use. Over the two-day workshop, participants learn the skills necessary to effectively perform a suicide intervention.

"Our goal is to make 100 Mile House a safer place to live," says Provost.

The cost is $295 per individual, although those coming from non-profits will pay $170. Lunch and coffee breaks are included in the cost.

In British Columbia, eight percent of male students and 17 per cent of female students reported having thoughts of suicide in 2014. In fact, suicide is the leading cause of death for youth aged 15-24 and is responsible for 16 per cent of deaths among 16-44 year olds.

Additionally, the World Health Organization estimates that for every adult who died of suicide, there may be more than 20 others who attempt suicide.

To register for the workshops or learn more, individuals can contact Provost at 250-395-4883 or 250-706-9819.