WSET.com - ABC13Workshop Teaches Tools for Preventing Suicide

Reporter: Mark Kelly l Photojournalist: Sally Delta

Lynchburg, VA - Lynchburg police officers had the challenge of talking someone out of jumping off the Rivermont bridge Wednesday night.

They say a 21-year-old man called threatening suicide, saying he was tired of living. Officers checked several bridges before they found him around 8:30 PM. And after an hour, they were able to talk him down and get him the help he needs.

And that's the kind of situation many may not know how to handle. That's why the Central Virginia Crisis Line taught a workshop Wednesday on preventing suicides, which organizers say is the most preventable type of death.

They call the program a first-aid kit for preventing suicide. It's real name is ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - and it's credited with saving lives.

Losing one friend to suicide was enough for Rebecca Schnabel.

"I felt ill-equipped to help and since then have always had a burden for needy people in crisis," said Schnabel, a trainee at ASIST.

Now, after the ASIST program she has a guide to spot the warning signs.

"Depression, lack of interest in things going on, agitation, lack of sleep, detachment from those around you," said Schnabel.

Detachment, Schnabel says, is especially seen in students who feel isolated, even bullied at school.

Amy Hart organized the two-day workshop on suicide prevention. Her own loss got her into this line of work.

"I personally do this because I use to be a teacher, and I lost students to death by suicide. And losing them lost a part of me," said Hart.

Hart teaches trainee's like Schnabel to do these three steps if a person's suicidal: Make it clear you care; ask about the person's situation; and, figure out how dangerous it is. Three questions, trainers say, that have stood the test of time.

"We know it works. We know it's a really valid way of offering people the suicide first-aid that they need," said Karen Gill, a trainer.

Trainers also say every situation and individual is different, so every intervention is different. But, the satisfaction of saving one life feels equally good.

"There's no other feeling in the world like knowing you've walked them through a crisis to where they feel they're going to be safe," said Hart.

Students say everyone can benefit from this program because everyone knows what it's like to hurt or know somebody who is suffering.

It's too late to sign up for this workshop, but there's another in August. Click here for more information.