FORT MCCOY, Wis -- The 88th Regional Support Command conducted Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) at their headquarters, here, June 22-23, which successfully trained 88th RSC personnel to become ASIST certified and taught various methods associated with combating suicidal behavior.
The course, which uses a prescribed curriculum from Living Works Education, focuses primarily on intervention and how to safely assist those suffering from suicidal thoughts.
"There are so many things which contribute to suicide that there's no way to prevent everything which may lead to it," said Stacey Feig, 88th RSC director of psychological health. "We want to catch this before it starts and this is what this particular class is focused on."
Feig, who is a certified ASIST trainer, helped conduct the training and said the class is first-aid for those in need and the people trying to prevent it.
"What we're doing isn't considered long-term care, it's just first-aid to get people where they need to be in those early stages," said Feig. "We need to know how to intervene."
"The reason the military uses ASIST is because the need is so huge for it," she continued. "There's not enough trained professionals to teach this, so we need as many lifeguards as possible, because we never know who's going to fall into the river (of suicide)."
Those suffering could be aged 17 or 70 and come from all walks of life, said Feig, so it's critical to train as many people with basic skills in case a real-life situation occurs.
"You need to feel confident to give that person first-aid ... that's why we use this program, because it's been tested and tested to work and make a difference," said Feig.
Also helping conduct the training was Connie Schauer, who said after more than 30 years of existence the concepts of ASIST have been proven to work and have been especially beneficial to the Army.
"ASIST has been around since 1983 and is evidence based- this does work," Schauer said. "It's based on extensive research and does get continuously updated. It's perfect for caregivers, which we all are in some shape or form."
This includes nurses, pastors and chaplains, Schauer said, many of whom work at the 88th RSC and are on the first line of caregiving.
"All ASIST training is supposed to be standardized, so it's not military specific, but after the surge of suicides in the Army it's very relevant," she said.
This sentiment was echoed by Maj. Scott Hagen, 88th RSC deputy command chaplain, who said attending ASIST training helped him expand on the suicide prevention tools he has learned during his Army career.
"I've done a lot of suicide awareness and prevention training for many groups and it was good to confirm I've been teaching the right things to Soldiers," Hagen said. "This was training I hadn't gone through and it used a specific process to walk with a person in a deep and painful area and empathize with them."
"To preserve life this is a great tool and an excellent program to help with someone in that immediate predicament," he said. "It gets them the help they need right away."
Hagen said the various techniques taught were extremely useful, with methods that he didn't know previously, giving him a broader perspective on how to intervene.
"It clearly is something that can work- it's not perfect and may not work in every situation - but these techniques are useful," he continued. "If I'm ever in the situation where I'm dealing with someone in that much pain, I can go through the steps ASIST teaches to join them in that deep place and walk out of it with them."
"Those who are contemplating suicide need a place where they can see hope," Hagen added. "These basic techniques can get them to that spot."
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