The 311th ESC conducts ASIST training

Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | Soldiers from five 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command down trace units conducted Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training on the George W. Dunaway Armed Forces Reserve Center at Sloan, Nev., Feb. 25-26, learning lessons and techniques on how to assist those at risk.  

SLOAN, NV, UNITED STATES

02.25.2015

Story by Capt. Fernando Ochoa 

311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command   

SLOAN, Nev. – Soldiers from five 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command down trace units conducted Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training on the George W. Dunaway Armed Forces Reserve Center at Sloan, Nevada, Feb. 25-26.

Attendees participated in a two-day four-phased course that included, connecting with others, understanding those at risk, assisting those at risk and working together with other caregivers.

During this workshop, 16 Soldiers had an opportunity to explore their experiences and their attitudes about suicide. Led by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Graham Harbman, experiences were exchanged and advice was submitted.

The purpose of this workshop is to reduce situations that contribute to suicide, increase the safety of persons with thoughts of suicide and help people who injure themselves and those they affect.

The session began with the introduction of the Soldiers, introducing each other to the group. They sat in a circle, where they could best communicate. One by one, they discussed their own experiences and talked about how they could best help those in need.

“We want to provide First Aid for those persons in trouble,” said Patricia Burns, 311th ESC equal opportunity specialist. “Sometimes we are the first line of defense for those who are at risk; until they can find help for their issues.”

The Soldiers from the 645th Transportation Company, 481st TC, 483rd Transportation Battalion, 420th Engineering Company and the 650th Regional Support Group volunteered to participate in this very important suicide prevention training.

“One of the most important skills we are learning is the art of listening,” said Chaplain Harbman. “My most important lesson is the profound act of love, which is the most important gift of the human race.”

Chaplain Harbman is the director of Living Hope. With over 13 years experience in counseling, he brings compassion and hope to the field of suicide prevention and those facing life’s troubles. He also counsels individual Soldiers before and after deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan, including many suffering from the ravages of war and PTSD.

Living Hope Suicide Prevention Services exists to prevent the needless tragedy of suicide through a variety of interactive training workshops provided throughout California, Nevada and beyond. More information about his organization can be found at www.livinghopesps.com.

After two days of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, the participants learned lessons and techniques on how to assist those at risk and on how those Soldiers who seek help and want help can live a full life.

• Date Taken: 02.25.2015
• Date Posted: 03.01.2015 23:57
• Story ID: 155665
• Location: SLOAN, NV, US