Knowing the warning signs of an impending suicide could help you save someone’s life, a Highline psychology professor said last weekend.

Each quarter Highline hosts this workshop on suicide intervention, which is taught by Dr. Bob Baugher, a Highline professor, and local volunteer Christin Cox.

This workshop is organized by an organization named LivingWorks. The program itself is called Applied Suicide Intervention Skills, also known as ASIST.

This workshop is two days long and runs from 8:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The workshop is available as a one-credit class or for non-credit. 

“A lot of students don’t know about this workshop even though it’s useful both academically and in life,” Dr. Baugher said. 

During this workshop students will learn how to distinguish if someone has suicidal signs, how to approach suicidal people and how to do a suicide intervention.

“Many people nowadays know what suicide is, but don’t know what to do if they are face to face with a person who is actively attempting to commit suicide,” said Dr. Baugher.

There are many signs that a person might be suicidal, but most of the time they are subtle, Dr. Baugher and Cox said. Still, if people look closely, they can try to see if a person’s behavior, mood, health, and talk are different than normal.

For example, faculty/professors could pay attention to a student if they had good grades and out of nowhere, they stopped coming to class and their grades tumble.

An example of a change in someone’s behavior could range from aggression, isolating themselves from family and friends, to increased use of alcohol or drugs, the presenters said.

Another important factor when trying to help a suicidal person is your attitude, Cox said.

“A person’s attitude towards suicide is important because it determines whether a suicidal person will try to approach you,” she said. “Imagine you had a sign on your chest saying ‘I think suicide is wrong’ what would people say or do? Do you think a suicidal person would approach you?”

“Even if your opinion is completely different, in a situation where a person is trying to kill themselves, you’re not there to debate it out but to keep them safe,” said Dr. Baugher.

It’s also important for everyone to know where and what the nearest resources not necessarily for a suicidal person but it’s useful in general, said Cox.

“Who here has called a hotline? Or have been to a counselor? Because generally people say that there are resources available for them like counseling or hotlines and then those in help ask you what they do, and you don’t know the answer. How do you think they’ll feel?” she said.

Cox encouraged people to call a hotline and ask what their process is if you were to refer someone to them, or set up an appointment with a counselor. This way you’ll be more prepared when you refer someone.

Dr. Baugher said it’s important to understand sucicide prevention because suicide has become more common in recent years. 

“The United States suicide rate have increased each year, but for the year 2020 – 2021 it has now for the first time topped 50,000,” he said. “Meaning that if this trend continues in the United States, in the next 10 years it’s said that 500,000 people in this country alone will die from suicide.”

“We can save everyone but if there is a slight chance of at least saving one person at a time, that’s what makes the difference,” said Cox

The next workshop will be in Spring Quarter the official class name is PSYCH 131, Suicide Intervention. The date is to be determined.

The workshop also offered important websites and phone numbers people should know about: