Based on the world’s leading suicide intervention training ASIST, I-ASIST was co-designed with Indigenous leadership and consultation to develop suicide intervention training specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Participants in this 2-day face-to-face workshop learn an evidence-based suicide intervention model to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide. I-ASIST is for Indigenous workforces, people who work with Indigenous communities, as well as schools, community groups, and sports clubs. Virtually anyone age 16 or older, regardless of prior experience or training, can become an I-ASIST trained helper. Launched in 2021 by the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, The Hon Ken Wyatt, I-ASIST has been led and robustly evaluated by the University of Queensland under the leadership of proud Euralie and Kooma woman, Professor Maree Toombs. During the two-day interactive workshop, participants learn a 6-task suicide first-aid model through powerful audio-visual learning aids, group yarns, skills practice and development through trainer-facilitated workgroups.
Participants in I-ASIST:
- Learn the skills to provide a suicide first-aid intervention;
- Work to develop a personalised safety plan for someone with thoughts of suicide to keep “safe-for-now”;
- Connect the person with thoughts of suicide to further help;
- Acquire skills in an evidence-based intervention model, with the assistance of two LivingWorks registered I-ASIST trainers.
