December 2, 2013; Hagåtña, Guam – In collaboration with the UOG School of Health, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center-Prevention and Training Branch certified twenty-one (21) UOG seniors on Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) on November 16-17, 2013.
 
Anyone can be at risk for having thoughts of suicide. The vast majority of those thinking about it will find some way to signal their intent. The key to suicide prevention is trained caregivers who are ready, willing and able to identify these warning signs and intervene to prevent the risk of suicide thoughts to becoming attempts or deaths.
 
On November 16 and 17, 2013, the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center-Prevention and Training Branch completed a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) at the University of Guam School of Health, certifying twenty-one (21) students as ASIST caregivers. “It is essential for our community to own the responsibility of preventing suicide among our people,” shares lead trainer Helene Paulino. “With more certified caregivers, especially those who work or will be working in primary care, we are able to save more lives by being proactive, stopping the risks of suicide at the earliest stage possible and establishing a system of care to keep that person safe.”
 
With continued partnership with Dr. Ana Joy Mendez of the UOG School of Health, another training will be held this coming Fall semester. “The students appreciate the things they learn at ASIST,” she said. “Through the two-day training, they feel more comfortable and confident to talk openly and directly about suicide.”
 
Other ASIST trainings are scheduled throughout FY 2014 that are open to community members. For registration or other information, contact the GBHWC Prevention and Training branch at (671) 477-9079 thru 9083 or visit www.peaceguam.org.
 
 

Twenty-one (21) seniors of the UOG School or Nursing and Health Sciences were certified as caregivers under the Applies Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), hosted by the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center-Prevention and Training branch.