[YSPNetwork] Response from LivingWorks regarding safeTALK

[Jill Hollingsworth]

Hi,

I want to forward the LivingWorks response to recent posts inquiring 
into safeTALK's evaluation status and comparison to QPR. I am happy to 
forward any additional questions if I can't answer them.

Jill

Jerry Swanner wrote:

> Hello all!
>
> I am delighted to receive the e-mail, especially since I just finished 
> my first safeTALK training session two weeks ago in Virginia. They 
> invited us to conduct safeTALK at their State-wide Suicide Prevention 
> Training Conference in Virginia Beach. Apparently, it was the highest 
> attended workshop during the two-day conference. Interestingly, (and 
> pertinent to the Helen’s and Andrea’s questions), there were numerous 
> ASIST and QPR trainers that attended the training. I would be more 
> than happy to provide you with these individual feedback forms so you 
> can read their comments first-hand.
>
> To summarize, safeTALK received overwhelmingly positive comments, even 
> from the QPR Trainers. Specifically, they all liked the various video 
> vignettes used to illicit discussions and critically challenge their 
> thoughts regarding suicide. They also liked the individual rehearsals 
> (role-plays) at the end to practice the safeTALK steps. They also 
> really liked the ease of which to learn the safeTALK steps and that 
> the model is focused on “listening” to the person with thought of 
> suicide.
>
> Now to answer the question regarding whether safeTALK is "evidence-based."
>
> SafeTALK was developed following the same principles that went into 
> the development of ASIST, which is listed as "evidence-based" by SPRC. 
> SafeTALK was created using the latest research and science, plus the 
> advantage of having 22(+) years of reading feedback forms from over 
> 10,000 ASIST workshops.
>
> Jill is correct in that it is too soon for safeTALK to be officially 
> recognized by SPRC as evidence-based since there just aren't enough 
> studies finished yet. However, the studies that were completed during 
> the R&D of safeTALK are very positive, and just reinforce what I 
> experienced in VA.
>
> If I could make a recommendation, it would be to experience both 
> safeTALK and QPR before deciding on which program to train. I believe 
> you will come to the same conclusions that the trainers in VA reached 
> after personally experiencing safeTALK.
>
> Also, consider that safeTALK is just one program that fits into a 
> "layered" training platform available to LivingWorks Trainers. All LWE 
> programs complement each other and range from basic suicide awareness 
> (suicideTALK), to intensive gatekeeping training (ASIST).
>
> For the sake of brevity, I'll close and just offer myself as a 
> resource if anyone has any further questions.
>
> V/r
> -- 
> Jerry M. Swanner
>
>
>
> "suicide-safer communities - saving lives for tomorrow"
>
> *LivingWorks Education, USA
> * P.O. Box 9607, Fayetteville, NC 28311
> *P * (910) 867-8822
> *F* (910) 867-8832
> *E * jerry.swanner at livingworks.net
> http://www.livingworks.net
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 5/30/06 7:24 PM, "Jill Hollingsworth" <jillh at clearwire.net> wrote:
>
>> Hi Andrea and Helen,
>>
>> Since safeTalk is so new, I don't know whether it has yet achieved best
>> practices or evidence-based practice status. Nor am I sure how to
>> compare it to QPR since I have never taken it. I am sending your
>> inquiries directly to LivingWorks.
>>
>> Jill
>>
>>
>> Andrea J. Tyler wrote:
>>
>>> Does anyone know if "safeTALK" an evidence-based, model or
>>> best-practice program, either on the Federal or State listing? And how
>>> does it compare with QPR, pros and cons?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Andrea Tyler, M.S., C.P.S.
>>> Executive Director - Wallowa Valley Together Project, Inc.
>>> Prevention Coordinator for Wallowa County
>>> PO Box 431 ~ 115 N. River Street
>>> Enterprise, OR 97828
>>> Office: 541.426.3277
>>> Fax: 541.426.6560
>>> wvtp at class.oregonvos.net
>>> www.wvtp.org <http://www.wvtp.org>
>>> /
>>> "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before
>>> starting to improve the world." ~ Anne Frank /
>>
>>
>> From: HelenGerhardt at msn.com
>> I would like to know the answer to this question, too. I am considering
>> getting trained in QPR...but would like to know what other options are
>> out there.,Helen
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Jill Hollingsworth <jillh at clearwire.net> writes:
>>> * Me again...
>>>
>>> Just got back from a LivingWorks conference and was trained in safeTALK,
>>> a new tool to provide caregivers with the skills and confidence to
>>> effectively refer a person at risk for suicide. Unlike the 2 day ASIST
>>> training which is designed to impart skills necessary for intervention,
>>> this training is 2 1/2 - 3 hours and helps sensitize people to risk
>>> factors and to refer.
>>>
>>> Here is more info:
>>>
>>> Why should I come to safeTALK?
>>>
>>> In only a few hours, you will learn how to provide practical help to
>>> persons with thoughts of suicide. Expect to leave safeTALK more willing
>>> and able to perform an important helping role for persons with thoughts
>>> of suicide.
>>>
>>> How does safeTALK help prevent suicide?
>>>
>>> safeTALK prepares you to be a suicide alert helper. You are aware that
>>> opportunities to help a person with thoughts of suicide are sometimes
>>> missed, dismissed and avoided. You want persons with thoughts to invite
>>> your help. You know the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) and
>>> can activate a suicide alert. As a part of the KeepSafe step, you
>>> connect persons with thoughts to persons trained in suicide
>>> intervention. Helpers trained in suicide intervention complete the
>>> helping process or connect the person with more specialized help.
>>>
>>> Why use safeTALK to learn to become alert?
>>>
>>> A carefully crafted set of helping steps and the use of creative
>>> educational processes make it possible for you and up to 30 others in
>>> your community to leave safeTALK willing and able to be suicide alert
>>> helpers. safeTALK is the result of some twenty years of work at learning
>>> how to develop useful suicide prevention abilities in a short program.
>>>
>>> What happens at safeTALK training?
>>>
>>> Expect to be challenged. Expect to have feelings. Expect to be hopeful.
>>> See powerful reminders of why it is important to be suicide alert. See
>>> how to activate an alert. Ask questions and enter discussions. Learn
>>> clear and practical information on what to do. Practice the TALK steps.
>>> Conclude with practice in activating a suicide alert.
>>>
>>> Why is safeTALK for everyone?
>>>
>>> Most persons with thoughts of suicide go unrecognized—even though most
>>> all are, directly or indirectly, requesting help. Without safeTALK
>>> training, these invitations to help are too rarely accepted, or even
>>> noticed. With more suicide alert helpers, more people with thoughts of
>>> suicide will get connected to the intervention help they want.
>>>
>>> If you are interested, I will be available to offer this training with a
>>> co-trainer at $60.00 per participant plus expenses. There is a cap of 30
>>> people per workshop. It is recommended to offer this training in an
>>> environment where there are already people trained in ASIST or other
>>> intervention skills training.
>>>
>>> Jill
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jill Hollingsworth, MA
>>> Program Coordinator
>>> Prevention Specialist
>>> Looking Glass Youth and Family Services
>>> 541.607-7322 voice
>>> 541.607-0625 fax
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>



-- 
Jill Hollingsworth, MA
Program Coordinator
Prevention Specialist
Looking Glass Youth and Family Services
541.607-7322 voice
541.607-0625 fax