This training was held for two days at Chaley’s Caberet at the Pacific Islands Club.
The training began on July 29 and continued through the 30th. LivingWorks ASIST certified trainers traveled from Guam included Rebecca Respicio, of the Division of Youth Affairs, and Sheila Comptonrivo, of the U.S. National Guard and collaborated with the CNMI’s LivingWorks ASIST certified trainers Rebecca Robles, tobacco program coordinator, and Jennifer Maratita, clinical services manager.
This training was made possible through the Substance Abuse and Prevention Grant and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Prevention and Training Branch of Guam that was held earlier this year to promote suicide prevention efforts of the Micronesian region.
According to LivingWorks Education, the ASIST training is the most widely used, acclaimed and researched suicide intervention skills training in the world.
The benefits of the ASIST T4T, is that the community receives local trainers that can train additional caregivers on how to respond and help someone with suicidal thoughts or may be attempting suicide.
The CNMI’s Community Guidance Center of the Department of Public Health is currently taking significant steps toward increasing community-based collaboration that will result in more successful suicide prevention activities and early intervention efforts.
Current plans include additional ASIST certification trainings to various agencies and members of the community throughout the year.
For more information, contact Josephine Sablan, 323-6560 through -6568, or visit www.cgcspn.net.
