LivingWorks: 2019 ASIST Training

I just finished LivingWorks: ASIST training! It was a 2-day workshop at Canadian Mental Health Association - Windsor this week.

After going through this training, I think everyone should consider making the time to become trained in suicide first aid.

No matter what role you take on, suicide has probably touched your life in some way. Maybe it was a co-worker, a friend, a neighbour, the love of your life, or even you.

I have some thoughts I wanted to share on a few points that I personally felt were important:

• I can listen to someone's story and not feel guilty that I don't have all the answers. I can validate a person's feelings and try not to minimize their experience.

• While we are talking, if i'm starting to sense something is wrong, I can ask the hardest question of all "are you thinking about suicide?" I may not get a "yes" or a "no" or even a response. It may feel uncomfortable. If I ask, please know that I genuinely care.

• If I get stuck or feel unable to help, I can reach out for other connections. I need to be transparent and make boundaries, so I can also keep myself safe.

• The uncertainty someone who is thinking about suicide may feel is okay. The future is unknown. I cannot promise things will get better, it might even get worse, but let's take that one step together towards life and agree that you are going to keep safe for now.

Here are various dates and information for upcoming ASIST training classes for 2020:

https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/progr…/mental-health-promotion/

You can also learn more at LivingWorks: https://www.livingworks.net/asist

#suicideprevention

2019 Suicide Prevention Awareness Training: SafeTALK

When was the last time you thought about suicide? Maybe it was just a fleeting thought, but it still creeps up in your mind when life gets too overwhelming. Perhaps you know someone who told you recently they didn't want to live anymore, or the sad reality that you actually lost a wonderful person to suicide because you didn't have any knowledge to even know how to help in the first place. It's okay, you're not to blame. We're human.

Let's change from not knowing to being empowered. Let's keep each other safe. I would highly recommend taking SafeTALK the next time it is available. Being an alert helper can really make a huge difference in someone's life.

Thank you Canadian Mental Health Association - Windsor.

Check out the Suicide Prevention Awareness Training offered here for 2019. https://windsoressex.cmha.ca/progr…/mental-health-promotion/

I will be taking the ASIST training in November, so I'd love it if anyone wanted to join me for this 2-day training!

.#SuicidePrevention2019 #YouAreNotAlone

Just One More - Hacksaw Ridge Movie Review

We have watched a lot of movies lately in the theatre, but I think the one that stands out for me the most right now is Hacksaw Ridge.

Director, Mel Gibson, hit this one out of the park, showing the utter brutality of war. Visuals were stunning and the emotional impact of this film will leave you speechless for a while.

Not bearing arms seems like a death wish, but you have to applaud someone for their strong convictions and ability to not back down, even under the most terrifying circumstances. From my viewpoint while watching the film, "God" was not the driving factor in his decision. I know there is a lot of debate when it comes to faith/religious beliefs, so this is just my opinion. Go check out the movie and make your own judgement call.

Regardless, Andrew Garfield was incredible in his role portraying real-life hero in EVERY sense of the word, Desmond Doss. In some scenes, he reminded me a little of Forrest Gump. Hugo Weaving and Vince Vaughn deserve praise as well for their acting roles.

With humanity in a fragile state, "just one more" never meant so much.