ASIST course provides advanced first aid instruction to combat suicide

RENO, NV, UNITED STATES

03.28.2018

Story by Sgt. Walter Lowell 

Nevada Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

By Sgt. Walter H. Lowell
Nevada National Guard
Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs

RENO – With an enlistment date precluding the events of 9/11, I have served in the military for more than 17 years. Despite the fact the majority of my career has occurred while the nation supported operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan, I’ve lost far more battle buddies to suicide than combat. According to the Nevada National Guard Suicide Prevention Program Manager, Jose Aragon, the Nevada Guard has lost six Soldiers and Airmen to suicide since 2013.
The prevalence of suicide among Veterans and service members is a pressing topic both in the military and throughout society. Nevada Guard Soldiers and Airmen are annually briefed on potential signs of distress and how to help their potentially suicidal cohorts.
But there are definite limitations on how much a Soldier or Airmen can learn in an hour-long annual brief on the topic and few long-term solutions are discussed. The Department of Defense’s current “Ask, Care, and Escort” (ACE policy) is a short-term measure to stabilize a despondent individual just long enough to get them to higher lifesaving intervention.
A more comprehensive tool to combat the disturbing trend is the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) class hosted quarterly by the Nevada National Guard’s Suicide Prevention Program. The ASIST course gives an individual the ability to work with the person at risk to create a plan that will support their immediate safety, which includes assessing acute safety needs and addressing short and long-term safety and increased connection with support systems and coping skills. Students who successfully complete the two-day course (Three for Army personnel) are ASIST certified and are equipped with the basic skills and training to aid despondent individuals.
I wanted to become ASIST certified for the same reason I took my combat lifesaver, cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, and why I regularly go to the shooting range: I want to be ready when a buddy or family member needs me to save their life.
To acquire my ASIST certification, I attended an ASIST class. Sixteen students were in the class; about half were Guard members and the other half were civilian. Some working for the Veterans Administration as caregivers. The class is also open to military dependents, other social service agencies, and people who work with Veteran outreach programs.
I immediately realized that is was not your typical “show-up, sign in and check the requisite blocks” class. Everyone contributed their experiences and knowledge to the discussion circle.
The class examined many potential suicide cases, broke into groups as small as two and eight, and discussed both successful and failed interventions and communication methods. We reviewed what we did well in certain scenarios and what we could have done better.
To me, it was a revelation to see intervention professionals display the depth and care needed when interacting with a despondent individual. Intervention with a suicidal individual entails far more than the usual military method of “fixing” a situation with an updated regulation or new part.
The ASIST class underscores support of Soldiers and Airmen. Students are encouraged to protect and connect with troops, listen to them, develop a support network and – when needed – lay a foundation for healing.
Stacy Holybee, a Veterans Administration suicide prevention coordinator, was one of our instructors for the ASIST class. She equated ASIST certification to CPR training: The more people in an organization who know how to respond, the better the chance a person in distress will receive needed care.
Holybee said it’s no secret ASIST-related skills are especially needed in the military community.
“It’s important because we know that people in the service and people who are separating from the service are at higher risk of suicide than the general population,” Holybee said.

Individuals with suicidal thoughts, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1. It’s a smart idea to save the number in your phone for you or to share with someone in need --- Internet searches are not fast enough when a life is in danger.

• Date Taken: 03.28.2018
• Date Posted: 04.02.2018 18:39
• Story ID: 270980
• Location: RENO, NV, US
• Hometown: DAYTON, NV, US