What to do and what not to do when trying to support someone thinking of suicide is the focus of a workshop this week in Duncan.
The Vancouver Island Crisis Society is hosting the workshop to commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day.
It is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Silver Bridge Inn in Duncan.
“Over the last few years, we have seen a shift in the research community that places more emphasis on the unique needs of a person at risk for suicide and the kinds of responses that are most helpful,” said a news release about the event.
“This shift has been reflected and highlighted at recent conferences for the American Association for Suicide Prevention, the Canadian Association for Suicidology, and in the published literature. “
Thursday’s workshop will highlight this research and give helpful tools for avoiding what researchers call “The 10 Most Common Errors of Suicide Interventionists.”
The workshop can help if you’ve ever struggled to make a connection with someone in peril, or if you’ve ever felt helpless in trying to support someone who’s thinking of suicide.
“It can be comforting to know you’re not alone in your experiences,” said the release.
The workshop will be particularly of interest for frontline staff working with people at risk of suicide, crisis line workers, physicians, clinicians, support workers, nurses and teachers.
The cost is $25 per person. The Silverbridge Inn has donated the use of the facility for the event and all proceeds go to United Way Cowichan.
Seating for the workshop is limited, so if you are interested, you’re advised to go to www.vicrisis.ca for information and to register.