The ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) program is based on a framework known as the "Pathway for Assisting Life" (PAL). This framework provides a step-by-step guide to effectively conduct a suicide intervention. Here's a detailed look at the steps involved: 1. **Connecting with Suicide Risk**: - **Identifying Risk Signs**: Recognize verbal, behavioral, and situational signs indicating that someone may be thinking about suicide. - **Starting a Conversation**: Approach the person in a non-judgmental and supportive manner to discuss your concerns. 2. **Understanding Choices**: - **Exploring Ambivalence**: Discuss the individual's reasons for living and dying, acknowledging the conflict between their wish to die and their wish to find a solution to their pain. - **Building a Connection**: Develop trust through active listening and empathy, showing understanding of their experiences and feelings. 3. **Assisting to Choose Life**: - **Creating a Safe Plan**: Collaborate with the individual to develop a safety plan. This includes removing immediate dangers and identifying coping strategies and support resources. - **Activating Supports**: Help them identify personal and professional support systems that can offer ongoing assistance. 4. **Developing a Safety Plan**: - **Specific Actions**: Identify specific steps the person can take to stay safe. This might involve contacting crisis services, scheduling mental health appointments, or staying with someone they trust. - **Follow-Up**: Plan for follow-up support, ensuring that they have ongoing contacts and resources to maintain safety. 5. **Implementing the Safety Plan**: - **Empowering the Individual**: Encourage the person to use their strengths and available supports to follow the safety plan. - **Monitoring Progress**: Regularly check in with the individual to review and adjust the safety plan as needed. 6. **Inviting a Commitment to Safe Actions**: - **Verbal Contracting**: Ask the person to verbally commit to safe actions and to reaching out for help if suicidal thoughts return. - **Documentation**: In professional settings, document the safety plan and the person’s commitment to follow it. 7. **Linking to Further Help**: - **Referrals**: Provide referrals to additional resources such as mental health professionals, support groups, or crisis hotlines. - **Continuity of Care**: Ensure a smooth transition to long-term help, maintaining communication with the person and other caregivers involved. Each step in the ASIST framework is designed to be interactive and collaborative, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting the person's perspective while working towards the common goal of safety and preservation of life. The framework is flexible and can be adapted to suit different individuals and situations, but the core principles of open communication, empathy, and support remain consistent. --- Related to [[iSafer]]