Program Overview

Introduction to the Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training (SAIT) Program

The University of British Columbia offers the Suicide Awareness and Intervention Training (SAIT) program, a free, introductory course designed for UBC Vancouver and Okanagan students, faculty, staff, and alumni. This program aims to create a culture of care where individuals can identify and support those at risk of suicide.

Program Overview

The SAIT program is a custom training that is trauma-informed and sensitive to cultural context. It is designed to help participants recognize the risk of suicide and learn how to have a supportive conversation with someone who is having thoughts of suicide. The program consists of two sections: Awareness and Engage.

Awareness Section

The Awareness section is an asynchronous, on-demand course that details key concepts for suicide prevention in the UBC context. Participants will learn the skills to help someone who is having thoughts of suicide by having a conversation with them and working with them to identify appropriate resources. This section takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

Engage Section

The Engage section is a synchronous, facilitated course that provides an overview of the Awareness section and allows participants to solidify their understanding through practice and discussions. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask their facilitator questions. Completion of the Awareness section is mandatory prior to starting the Engage section. This section takes approximately 60-90 minutes to complete.

Program Objectives

The SAIT program aims to:

• Create a culture of care where individuals can identify and support those at risk of suicide
• Provide participants with the skills to recognize the risk of suicide and have a supportive conversation with someone who is having thoughts of suicide
• Help participants understand the resources available to refer someone to if they need help
• Increase the likelihood that someone experiencing thoughts of suicide will be noticed and will receive help

Alternative and Further Training

As an alternative to the SAIT program, Living Works offers online suicide prevention training for a fee. If you have completed the SAIT program and are interested in further training opportunities, you may be able to access additional resources.

Program Details

• The SAIT program is offered by Human Resources, Health Promotion and Education (Vancouver), and Health and Wellness (Okanagan)
• The program is designed to support the mental health and resilience of UBC community members
• Participants will receive a certificate of completion upon finishing the program
• The program is free and available to UBC Vancouver and Okanagan students, faculty, staff, and alumni

Important Considerations

• It is essential to consider whether this is the right time for you to engage in this topic, as it can be challenging to discuss suicide and mental health
• The program is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for participants to learn and discuss these topics
• If you are having suicidal thoughts or are worried about someone who might be, it is crucial to access resources and support immediately.