Almost 30 year history of LivingWorks: roots of suicide intervention training; way forward with suicide-safer communities

1. We’ve come a long way in creating suicide safer communities.... Where to now?” 2011 Annual Saskatchewan Trainers Conference November 16-18, 2011

7. Where we’ve come from . . . . In suicide prevention training

12. Can standardized training be designed for diverse groups? Can standardized training be delivered on a large scale? Can quality assurance be maintained with a diverse pool of trainers? LivingWorks founders rose to the knowledge transfer challenge using state-of-the-art social R&D to develop a standardized and locally adaptable suicide intervention training program. 2-day ASIST pioneered attitude inclusiveness with knowledge and skill components. A unique Suicide Intervention Model (SIM) was developed to integrate AKS through interactive simulation practice and to guide real interventions

14. Caregivers Early intervention Attitudes Knowledge Skills Resources Connecting Und’standing Assisting Networking support First-aid treat effectiv e behaviors received entered Core knowledge 1973 Retention ASISTR 2003 1st aid, support, treatment ASIST workshop 1985 I.0 2004 X.0 2010 X.1.6 2013 XI.0 Behavioral results Gatekeeper Training Program Foundation Workshop (FW) Suicide Intervention Workshop (SIW)

15. Original Developments in Suicide Intervention Training Designed to provide statistical evidence of the size of the problem and to help participants know what was the most and least useful empirical information in a risk factor approach to risk assessment later modified to risk estimation Risk Estimation (HML) was based on 7 factors: Age, Gender, Stress, Symptoms, R esources, P rior Behavior, C urrent Plan Suicide First Aid application was reverse order: CPR

18. U of C researchers helping suicide prevention across the world By Greg Harris, Gazette staff The Surgeon General of the United States has adopted a national policy statement on suicide prevention that has its roots at the University of Calgary. Richard Ramsay (left), a professor in the Faculty of Social Work, says the impetus for the American suicide prevention strategy can be traced to a 1993 Banff conference he organized with Bryan Tanney, Department of Psychiatry, at the invitation of the United Nations. At that conference, representatives from 14 countries created a policy document for the UN called Prevention of Suicide: Guidelines for the Formulation and Implementation of National Strategies. The Surgeon General’s policy statement is the latest highlight for Ramsay and LivingWorks Education Inc., a University Technologies International Inc. start-up company that provides training in suicide intervention.

19. New Developments in Suicide Intervention Training SUICIDOLOGI 2004, VOLUME. 9, N0. 3 Working with ambivalence and collaborative skills to listen to reasons for dying is a new priority in suicide intervention. This parallels proponents in psychotherapy who favor a collaborative responsibility in treatment care. Risk Estimation categories were replaced with Risk Review and SafePlan

24. “ . . . . Where to now?”

25. One intervention at a time Growth of complementary education & training programs Continuity of care Assessing risk within caring conversations Shifting niche service to core service Continuation of commitment Sustaining suicide-safer communities

26. GOOD WORKS OF LIVINGWORKS news b u l l e t i n I n t e r n a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r S u i c i d e P r e v e n t i o n MAY/JUNE 2011 L ivingWorks' founders have a long history on the side of seeing niche suicide intervention training become part of the “core business” of mental and behavioral health care providers. Collaboration with a large provider of adult services to persons with severe mental illness and incorporation of suicide prevention into their core business is a current test of whether a cultural shift of this magnitude can be modeled. LivingWorks also has a keen interest in furthering the field's differential use of gatekeeper training between those with required-referral procedures and those with referral options in their safeplanning framework and sufficient training for first aid intervention to be an end in itself. L ooking to the future, LivingWorks is engaged in higher level thinking about the traditional prevention, intervention and postvention framework for suicide prevention activities. A revised cycle model has led to some exciting possibilities in “upstream” prevention work and innovative responses to Ed Shneidman's long held belief that “postvention is prevention”. Some of the work is well into the R&D process. Some is still conceptual. The commitment of LivingWorks to suicide-safer communities is deep and robust.

29. Suicide-Safer Community Initiative

30. Suicide-Safer Communities CASP and LivingWorks recognize that it is critically important for communities to establish their own suicide prevention action plans defined by their unique character and needs. Communities across Canada have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to tackle this critical public health issue. Canadian communities are doing their part to prevent suicides and ensure that those who are bereaved by suicide have support that is both compassionate and informed. It is time we recognize the commitment, innovations and accomplishments of these communities and offer our support and encouragement to communities that wish to do the same. Contact: [email_address]

32. A checklist to become a Suicide-Safer Community 1. Suicide-Safer Community committee name 2. Population size of your community 3. Organizations representing your committee 4. Action plan or strategy with identified priorities 5. Accessible suicide intervention services 6. Accessible suicide bereavement support 7. Promotion of mental health and wellness activities 8. Active suicide prevention activities 9. Established pool of formally trained gatekeepers 10. Participation in World Suicide Prevention Day © Suicide-Safer Communities 2011