River of Life is an interactive half-day workshop created for adults working with Indigenous young people 12 and up.

This interactive workshop discusses strategies to strengthen the protective factors of young people considering suicide and focuses on providing participants with knowledge to competently respond.

This workshop may be offered virtually or in-person.

What our workshops achieve

After attending a workshop, participants feel more confident to identify and willing to help people considering suicide. Anyone can respond to a person thinking about suicide when they’re equipped with information, knowledge, and skills.

52% of participants feel more willing to help.

9/10 8/10

Not willing Willing

Before After

75% of participants feel more confident to identify.

8/10 6/10

Not confident Confident

Before After

I really enjoyed the sharing of information from different participants and learning more about the history of Indigenous culture and trauma from residential schools. I feel more confident supporting Indigenous youth with suicidal ideation. River of Life Participant

Thank you for the Indigenous perspective on safety planning and connecting youth to cultural supports. The added historical context was a good reminder for me while working with at risk youth. River of Life Participant

Learning objectives

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Recognize how the role of community and culture supports Indigenous life promotion
Recognize protective factors, risk factors and warning signs in young people
Build confidence to competently respond to young people in crisis
Use principles of safety planning to help a young person develop their own plan for safety

Intervention approaches build on the skills taught in the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) as they apply to youth.

Audience

Ages 18+
This workshop provides information and offers practical approaches for those working with Indigenous young people 12 and up who may be thinking about suicide.

Participants can include but not limited to: parents and caregivers, family and friends, natural helpers and advisors, teachers and educational administrators, health practitioner, justice, first responders, and volunteers.

Certificate and Accreditation

All participants will receive a participation certificate upon completing 3.5-4 hours of instruction hours.

Special Accommodations

Please contact the Centre for Suicide Prevention if you need specific accommodations.

Table of Contents

River of Life Promoting life in Indigenous young people

What our workshops achieve

Learning objectives

Audience

Certificate and Accreditation

Special Accommodations

Become a Trainer

Host this workshop

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Table of Contents

What our workshops achieve

Learning objectives

Audience

Certificate and Accreditation

Special Accommodations

Become a Trainer

Host this workshop

Explore all Workshops

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