GOOD NEWS!
The Air Canada Component of CUPE is committed to raising awareness and resources to support the mental and psychological health and safety of its members. As part of this, the Union recently invested in the LivingWorks ASIST, the leading suicide intervention workshop in Canada. Between December 2024 and February 2025, we trained 41 people as suicide first-aiders at events in Vancouver and Ottawa!
The workshop is now coming to TORONTO! This is your opportunity to choose to be part of the solution and train in suicide first aid! Further dates at other bases will be announced as we finalize those plans.
Dates:
YYZ: 02APR AND 03APR – 08:30-16:30 EDT
NOTE: THIS IS A TWO-DAY TRAINING
Language of instruction:
Trainings will be conducted in English. French workshop materials will be available (must be selected during registration), and a bilingual facilitator will also be present.
Location:
CUPE Peel Regional Office (Mississauga)
25 Watline Avenue, Suite 202, Mississauga, ON, L4Z 2Z1
Parking is available.
COST:
The workshop is FREE for all Mainline and Rouge cabin crew (a $300 value).
Other airline and CUPE members are welcome to join for a nominal fee of $55, Subject to approval. This covers the base cost of the workshop participant kit.
Facilitators:
– Jordan Bray-Stone, Chairperson – Air Canada Component of CUPE OHS Committee
– Troy Winters, National Coordinator OHS – CUPE National
What is LivingWorks ASIST?
Recognized as the global leader in suicide intervention training, LivingWorks ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is a 2-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid.
In 2022 in Canada (the most recent available statistics from StatsCan):
- There were 3,593 reported suicides , and 1,849,599 people reported suicides.
In 2022 around the world:
- Suicide first aiders performed 92,424 interventions
- 74, 536 participants attended LivingWorks ASIST Workshops
- 12,939 deaths by suicide were prevented
*Estimates based on studies
What will you learn?
LivingWorks ASIST helps learners become willing, ready, and able to intervene with someone who has thoughts of suicide. You will learn to:
- Help someone with thoughts of suicide develop a safety plan to keep safe-for-now and connect with further help
- Apply a Safety Framework to guide the development of this SafePlan through a collaborative, helping relationship
- Understand how personal and community attitudes about suicide affect someone’s openness to seek help and your ability to provide it
- Build confidence and capacity in providing suicide first aid
Who should attend?
No previous experience or training is required, but a commitment is. Although the course may be offered at no cost to ACC cabin crew, we kindly as that you refrain from signing up if you cannot commit to attending.
LivingWorks ASIST is a training that strengthens your whole community, building a Network of helpers who can apply suicide first aid in many settings like schools, homes, workplaces, and as a part of formal caregiving roles.
The workshop works best when individuals from diverse backgrounds and work roles attend. Feel free to invite workers from other Air Canada groups.
How will you learn?
We aim to provide a safe learning environment. The learning process includes:
- Trainer presentations and powerful videos to stimulate discussion and support learning
- Extensive opportunities for skills practice through exercises and role-play
- Shared participant experiences that enrich learning
- Trainer-facilitated workgroups to optimize participation
Direct and honest discussion about suicide is encouraged. While sometimes challenging, this prepares helpers to openly approach people with thoughts of suicide, and to help them keep safe.
In Solidarity,
Your Component Occupational Health and Safety Committee