Education & Training

Via funding provided by the United Way of the Lower Mainland, the Crisis Centre currently provides free workshops on Older Adult Suicide Awareness & Response and Tools for Responding to Older Adults in Crisis to staff and/or volunteers of organizations and residential care homes that serve older adults.  Workshops are generally 2-3 hours in length with interactive discussions, and are tailored based on the time allotted and participants’ learning objectives.

Key outcomes of the Older Adult Suicide Awareness & Response training include:

• Understanding the unique factors of suicide among older adults;
• Exploring our thoughts on older adult suicide and how this may effect our interactions with those at risk;
• Recognizing the warning signs;
• Exploring how to respond to an older adult at risk, including identification of workplace protocols and community resources.

Key outcomes of the Tools for Responding to Older Adults in Crisis training include:

• Understanding the nature of crisis among older adults and the goals of crisis intervention;
• Exploring what can be helpful in responding to an older adult in crisis, including communication skills effective in crisis intervention;
• Identifying workplace protocols and community resources;
• Recognizing our boundaries and the need for self-care.

Additionally, volunteers and staff of older adult serving agencies are welcome to participate in the Crisis Centre’s ongoing professional development training.

For more information about the Older Adult Program and to book a workshop for your organization:
Contact Tracy Leroux at 604-872-1811 ext. 251 or e-mail tleroux@crisiscentre.bc.ca.

What participants say about the Older Adult Suicide Awareness and Response workshops?

“It will be helpful at work and in my personal life.”
BC Housing Building Manager

“A little talked about subject, great to bring it out into the open.”
Assisted Living Service Provider

“We need this type of education session not only to health professionals  but hopefully also to the seniors and their family members in the community.”
Assisted Living Service Provider

“Much needed topic for this generation.”
Adult Day Centre worker