Australian Defence Force
Suicide Prevention Program (ADF SPP)
Suicide leaves a legacy of grief, anger, bitterness or guilt for those associated with someone who has threatened, attempted or completed a suicide. Awareness of risk factors and how to intervene to help someone who is suicidal, help to minimise the risk of suicide and may prevent further suicidal episodes. It is important to recognise that people who engage in suicidal behaviour are at increased risk of eventually taking their life.
A key factor that determines whether people go on to eventually take their life is the quality of the intervention at the time of the initial suicidal episode. Where there are no other significant psychological factors, people who are effectively managed during a life crisis that triggers a suicidal episode are likely to recover and continue to contribute to operational capability and the wider community more generally.
One of the key components of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Mental Health Strategy is the Suicide Prevention Programme (SPP). This program is comprised of four levels of Suicide Prevention Training offered within Defence.
These are:
Suicide Awareness Training
Suicide Awareness Training is the first level of training in the SPP component of the Mental Health Strategy. The aim of this type of training is to increase people’s awareness of warning signs of suicide and provide information about what to do if you suspect someone may be having suicidal thoughts. This training can be completed either by a 30 minute presentation or on line via CAMPUS.
Keep Your Mates Safe – Suicide
The Keep Your Mates Safe (KYMS)-Suicide course is the second level of training in the SPP component of the Mental Health Strategy. The KYMS-Suicide course is a 2 hour training session targeting peers, junior leaders and managers, with the goal of enabling them to identify persons at risk of suicide and direct them to first aid and health resources.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) in conjunction with LivingWorks is the third level of training in the SPP component of the Mental Health Strategy. The ASIST workshop teaches suicide first aid training focusing on providing junior leaders and managers with the skills to identify ‘at risk’ individuals and provide initial First Aid support. The training is a two day intensive, interactive workshop.
ASIST "TUNE UP”
The ASIST 'Tune Up' is a half-day workshop aimed to refresh people who have previously complete an ASIST course. Members who completed ASIST over a year ago should consider completing an ASIST 'Tune Up' to keep their skills in up to date.
Clinical Upskilling- Suicide Management and Response Training
The Clinical Upskilling training is the fourth level of training in the SPP component of the Mental Health Strategy. This training is designed for Defence Mental Health Professionals such as doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers. This training provides advanced skills for professionals working with 'at risk' individuals.
ASIST Train the Trainers
ASIST Train the Trainers (T4T) is a three day course that teaches mental health professionals and providers the necessary skills and knowledge needed to conduct specific SPP courses for Defence personnel.
19 October, 2011
| 
