Mind Your Head and NHS Shetland's Health Improvement Team were delighted when they heard that one of their staff from their teams had been selected from numerous applications throughout Scotland to receive training so that they can become accredited trainers for the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
Mark Hughes (MYH) and Laura Russell (NHS, Formerly MYH) attended a week’s training in Stirling last week along with another 22 participants. The training delivered by Living Works Education in conjunction with Public Health Scotland is a suicide intervention training course that teaches the theory and practice of being suicide alert and how to conduct a suicide intervention, helping people feel more able to ask someone if they are feeling suicidal and then knowing what to do next.
Anouska Civico, CEO (MYH) says “This is a significant and fantastic opportunity for Shetland. It has been years since we have had the opportunity to deliver this training locally, when we have had ASIST training available in Shetland it has been at a significant cost as we have had to pay for trainers to come to Shetland and pay for their time, travel and accommodation. So, to be able to offer this locally will mean that ASIST will be able to be run more often and at no cost to the whole of the Shetland community. This training will help our community become more knowledgeable and in turn more resilient.”
Nicola Balfour, Health Improvement Team Lead says "Having 2 trainers based in Shetland again is a huge step forward in being able to offer this consistent Suicide Prevention training throughout the Isles. We are delighted to also be working in partnership with MYH to deliver ASIST where we hope to ensure there is opportunity for anyone who wishes to attend to do so. We know how valued this training has been in Shetland over the years and it is exciting to be in the position to offer this more frequently again and share these skills in our communities."
We will start to deliver the training in the next coming months so please keep your eye out on social media posts for details of how to book. If you were added to the waiting list last year someone will be in touch soon.
