We’ve put together a variety of workshops and trainings designed to help you learn when someone may be at risk of suicide and how to help. For more information, click on the buttons below.
ASIST
2-day workshop (15 hours total)
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. This training is designed as an interactive workshop. The curriculum teaches participants how to recognize when someone may be at risk of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.
ASIST is currently the world’s leading suicide intervention workshop.
Must be 18 years or older to attend an ASIST workshop; no formal training needed to attend the workshop.
Find trainings online at LivingWorks.net; costs vary per training.
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (click to expand)
Description
The Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask. The answers help users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs. Users of the tool ask people:
How do you help someone who is suicidal? The first step in suicide prevention is awareness — knowing when someone is in crisis. That’s often not obvious, because many people suffer in silence or give no sign that they might harm themselves. As a family member, friend, neighbor, or colleague, you can make a difference by using the Columbia Protocol — also known as Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) — to help determine when someone is at risk for suicide and how to help.
Watch an introduction to the C-SSRS
View a recent training on the CSSRS
Hinds Hospice’s Understanding Grief
Duration
60 minutes
Description
For those who have experienced suicide loss, the journey of grief can bring an array of confusing feelings that often are unpredictable and painful. This workshop provides an opportunity to learn about the unique challenges and dynamics of grief. You will be provided strategies for coping through rituals, self-care and suggestions for receiving support during this process.
Eligibility
Must be 18 or older; no formal training is necessary.
Provider Information
Hinds Hospice has provided the link to review this presentation. For more information, please visit www.hindshospice.org or give them a call at (559) 226-5683.
Mental Health First Aid
1 day: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mental Health Crisis. This training is designed to help participants learn how to assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. The curriculum includes risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns; strategies for how to help those in both crisis and non-crisis situations; and where to turn for help.
Must be age 18 or older to attend Adult Mental Health First Aid training. May be younger than 18 to attend Youth MHFA training.
Find courses online at mentalhealthfirstaid.org Courses that specialize in both youth and adult mental health concerns are available.
NAMI’s Ending the Silence
Duration
50-60 minutes
Description
NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition.
NAMI Ending the Silence presentations include two leaders: one who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Audience members can ask questions and gain understanding of an often-misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma.
Eligibility
Must be middle school or older; no formal training is necessary.
Provider Information
To organize additional trainings for your group or organization, or inquire about trainings for specific populations, please visit NAMI Fresno at www.namifresno.org; Free of cost to schools and communities.
QPR
1.5 hour; time may vary in a group setting.
Question, Persuade, Refer. This free training is designed to equip you with the tools necessary to recognize the warning signs of suicide.
No prerequisite required/listed.
Find trainings online at QPRinstitute.com. Space is limited to 25 participants, so a reservation is required. If you are interested in attending please contact Kathy Cromwell, Program Coordinator for Fresno Survivors of Suicide Loss, at 559-322-5877 or kcromwell@hindshospice.org
SafeTalk
3-4 hours
Suicide Alertness. This training is designed to help participants recognize a person at risk and help connect them with resources.
Must be age 15 or older; no formal training is necessary.
Find trainings online at LivingWorks.net; costs vary per training.
SuicideTalk
90 minute session
Suicide Awareness. This training is designed to help participants examines why people experience thoughts of suicide. It also encourages open discussion about suicide and attitudes toward it and explores ways people can help to prevent suicide.
Must be age 15 or older; no formal training is necessary.
Find trainings online at LivingWorks.net; group prices are available at a discounted rate.
Talk Saves Lives
Duration
45-60 minutes
Description
Talk Saves Lives is American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s standardized, education program that provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their communities to save lives.
Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe. The standard Talk Saves Lives presentation is also available in Spanish.
Topics covered include:
In addition to the standard presentation, three specialized Talk Saves Lives modules are available that provide similar information, while focusing on specific at-risk communities: Seniors, LGBT, and Firearm Owners.
Eligibility
Must be age 18 or older; no formal training is necessary.
Provider Information
To organize additional trainings for your group or organization, or inquire about trainings for High School students, please visit American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at afsp.org; Training are provided at no cost to the community.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Duration
Virtual format – 6 hours in Zoom and 2 hours pre work
Description
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help children through adolescents (age 6-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. NEW: Expanded content on trauma, addiction and self-care and the impact of social media and bullying
Eligibility
Must be 18 or older unless preapproved by trainer; no formal training is necessary.
Provider Information
Find courses online at mentalhealthfirstaid.org Courses that specialize in both youth and adult mental health concerns are available.
Email:
solvang@fresnocountyca.gov
Address:
1925 E. Dakota Ave.
Fresno, CA 93726
