Commanders, supervisors learn to ASIST Published Jan. 19, 2007 By SrA Amanda Mills Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Commanders, first sergeants and supervisors learned how to ASIST potentially suicidal Airmen during a seminar Monday and Tuesday at the Community Chapel Activity Center. The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training augments life skills services by applying "first aid" tools to Airmen who might be persons at risk for suicide, according to Chaplain (Lt Col) Steven Nicolai, 71st Flying Training Wing Chaplain. "Life skills' annual suicide awareness training is prevention training, ASIST is intervention training.," Chaplain Nicolai said. "The ASIST program gives commanders and supervisors tools to 'keep the Airman alive' until they can get into long-term care with professional providers once they've been identified as potentially suicidal. ASIST also gives commanders and supervisors more confidence in their abilities to provide that 'first aid' and to ensure the individual gets the proper care." Thirty people attended the latest workshop and were presented with the ASIST model and tools for suicide intervention. The information was also applied to role play and various scenarios. ASIST is an Air Force-wide program that began mainly as a response to an increase in suicides across the service, Chaplain Nicolai said. Air Education and Training Command currently has a higher rate of suicides per 100,000 than the rest of the Air Force, so Vance has a special interest in the ASIST model. However, most people associated with the course agree it's beneficial even on its own. "I felt the ASIST course was extremely beneficial and a great tool for everyone, not just supervisors," said Maj Juliana Astrachan, 71st Mission Support Squadron commander. "It provided tremendous communication techniques and tools to get to the root of issues and help people, whether they're considering suicide or not. The course reinforced the importance of stepping away from our busy lives and really listening to people all around us." Chaplain Nicolai likes the information as well as instructing others on it. "In all my theological and military training, this has been the most beneficial," he said. "It's simple but very effective. It's also fun to teach because it's high energy, and everyone really enjoys participating. "ASIST also provides a common language among professionals and non-professionals. When a supervisor is trying to communicate with a professional care provider their assessment of someone potentially suicidal, they are understood when using terms like 'high, medium and low risk'. It also increases communication between supervisors and commanders by providing better support between all ranks and professional levels." Chaplain Nicolai believes other ASIST instructors value the model as well. "Dave McCoy of the family support center and Terri Presa of the life skills center both see how the model works, and are excited about sharing it with others," he said. "Chaplain (Capt) Sam Bridges is also qualified to present the information, and is looking forward to helping upon his return (from his deployment)." Another ASIST workshop is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 and 14 and Sept. 29 and 30. All commanders, supervisors and first sergeants who have not previously attended are encouraged to participate in one of these seminars. For more information, call Chaplain Nicolai at 7211, Mr. McCoy at 7540 or Ms. Presa at 7419.