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Listen, Learn and ASIST

Airmen from the 92nd Security Forces Squadron role play during the applied suicide intervention skills training, or A.S.I.S. T., at the base chapel, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Jan. 25, 2013. The chapel staff offers the two-day course is for anyone who would like to learn how to detect the signs and symptoms of someone who may become or already is suicidal. The chapel staff offers the next course in February. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)

Listen, Learn and ASIST

Published Jan. 29, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The base chapel staff hosts a suicide intervention course February 21-22 to teach Airmen how to help someone who may become, or is already, suicidal.

The two-day applied suicide intervention skills training course, known as ASIST. Chaplains at Fairchild have taught for the last two years. Since it began, more than 200 people have completed the training.

"This class is based on listening to people," said Tech. Sgt. Bradley Barkhauer, chaplain assistant and instructor for the course. "It focuses on helping to connect and understand someone dealing with this issue."

The hands-on training scenarios teach wingmen how to connect, listen and understand with a person who may have suicidal thoughts. The program focuses on three specific areas: connecting, listening and understanding. Connecting by reflecting on a situation, listening to pick up the signals, and understanding how to provide help, said Chaplain (Capt.) Jeremy Bastian

"The class has shown us how to talk about a difficult subject," said Staff Sgt. Denine Deal, 92nd Security Forces Squadron police services NCO. "It has given us tools that can save someone's life."

For more information, or to sign up for the February class, call 247-8274.