A World Where LivingWorks

This is the sixth and final episode in season three of A World Where LivingWorks, a series featuring conversations with co-founder, Richard Ramsay. What a special series it has been! In the last episode Richard talked with our host Kim Borrowdale about the train the trainer community development model and how trainers around the world work with different environments and cultures while maintaining the fidelity of the LivingWorks model. Today, they wrap up the series talking about some of Richard's proudest LivingWorks moments. Subscribe to A World Where LivingWorks on all your usual podcast players including: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

This is the fifth episode in season three of A World Where LivingWorks, a season focused on learning about the history and evolution of their groundbreaking suicide first aid training practices, now being taught around the world.  In the last episode LivingWorks co-founder Richard Ramsay talked with our host Kim Borrowdale about the evidence behind that LivingWorks program. In this episode we get to the heart of LivingWorks, the people, the thousands of trainers in communities and workplaces around the world who are helping millions up-skill in suicide first aid. Subscribe to the series so you don't miss upcoming episodes via the below: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

This is the fourth episode in season three of A World Where LivingWorks, a season focused on learning about the history and evolution of their groundbreaking suicide first aid training practices, now being taught around the world.  In the last episode we talked about how people really gravitated to the ASIST model of suicide intervention skills training when it was developed with Richard saying, it just worked.  In this episode, we talk a little more about the evidence behind that program and others developed by LivingWorks since. They are often referred to as the gold standard in suicide intervention skills training and you can see a full list of ever increased published papers and studies on their website – with more being added by research teams and implementers in diverse settings around the world each day.  Subscribe to the series so you don't miss upcoming episodes via the below: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

This is the third episode in season three of A World Where LivingWorks, a season focused on learning about the history and evolution of their groundbreaking suicide first aid training practices, now being taught around the world.  In the last episode, co founder Richard Ramsay was just about to tell us about how fellow co founder Brian Tanney met Bruce Turley, who was key to LivingWorks' development – and, like us listeners, was also keen to know what was in Brian's suitcase! In this episode Richard tells us about how people in different communities and cultures around the world responded to the ASIST model; from Canada to Norway to Australia and all around the world. Subscribe to the series so you don't miss upcoming episodes via the below: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

This is the second episode in season three of A World Where LivingWorks, a season focused on learning about the history and evolution of their groundbreaking suicide first aid training practices, now being taught around the world. In episode one our host Kim Borrowdale talked with LivingWorks co founder Richard Ramsay about the early days, some 40 years ago. Make sure you have a listen to that episode if you missed it. We won't give you too much of a spoiler but let's just say that a film student and a road trip weren't what we were expecting. Today we're continuing that chat having a look at how this new curriculum teaching people suicide first aid was put to the test in Canada and then further afield. Subscribe to the series so you don't miss upcoming episodes via the below: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

We know LivingWorks today as a global leader in suicide intervention. Thousands of trainers in workplaces and communities around the world teaching gold class suicide first aid programs like the two day ASIST workshop, the half day SafeTALK suicide alert helper workshop and now the 90- minute online interactive introduction to suicide first aid, LivingWorks Start. Programs that have been endorsed in more than 50 peer reviewed journals around the world, that have informed international policy and are implemented everywhere from schools to military bases, hospitals to sports clubs and everything in between.  But do you know how it all started almost 40 years ago? In 1983 to be precise. In the first episode of series three of A World Where LivingWorks, our host Kim Borrowdale talks to with co founder Richard Ramsay about how it all began. Subscribe to the series so you don't miss upcoming episodes via the below: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

Hi I'm Kim Borrowdale and I'd like to welcome you to the third season of A World Where LivingWorks. We know LivingWorks today as a global leader in suicide intervention. Thousands of trainers in workplaces and communities around the world teaching gold class suicide first aid programs like the two day ASIST workshop, the half day SafeTALK suicide alert helper workshop and now the 90- minute online interactive introduction to suicide first aid, LivingWorks Start. Programs that have been endorsed in more than 50 peer reviewed journals around the world. That have informed international policy and are implemented everywhere from schools to military bases, hospitals to sports clubs and everything in between.  But do you know how it all started almost 40 years ago? In 1983 to be precise. Coming together from diverse backgrounds including social work, psychiatry, and counseling, four men—Richard Ramsay, Bryan Tanney, Roger Tierney, and Bill Lang—had a radical idea: what if they could empower everyone to help save lives from suicide? Setting out to address the lack of effective skills among both laypeople and professionals, they developed the precursor to the current LivingWorks ASIST program and a Train-the-Trainer model to disseminate it. Our third season of A World Where LivingWorks is an extra special one as I talk with LivingWorks co founder, Richard Ramsay. In each episode we'll discuss the evolution of LivingWorks and suicide intervention practices – where we've come from and where we're going when it comes to saving lives from suicide and supporting people to live well. We'd love you to join us. Tune in from next week on all the usual podcast players. Subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Kim and LivingWorks acknowledge Traditional Owners of the beautiful lands wherever you're listening. Our warmest thoughts are also with those who have been impacted by suicide, who know the pain it brings to our lives and the desire to make positive change for all of us to live well.

In this episode we talk with Professor Paul Yip from Hong Kong about suicide prevention in Asia. Professor Yip is the Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Hong Kong University, Chair Professor of Population Health at the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, and the Director of the HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention (CSRP). His current research interests involve population health issues including poverty alleviation, adopting a public health approach in suicide prevention, restriction of means, cost-effectiveness of suicide prevention and program evaluation. Subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below and all of your usual podcast players: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this Podclub epilogue we share listener feedback on the last episode about culturally tailored training when it comes to suicide prevention. Missed the interview? Have a listen here. You can also subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below and on all of your usual podcast players: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts 

In this episode we talk with Associate Professor Maree Toombs about culturally tailored suicide intervention training. Maree is a proud Kamilaroi and Kooma woman and an Aboriginal researcher. Her expertise is in the mental health of Indigenous Australians and exploring the interface between Indigenous and Western research methodologies. Maree is Associate Dean (Indigenous Engagement) for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Queensland with one of her current projects being I-ASIST, a culturally-tailored training program established to address the increasing rates of suicide among Indigenous people living in rural and remote areas. If you want to learn more about I-ASIST, get in touch with the team at LivingWorks. Subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below and all of your usual podcast players: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this Podclub epilogue we share listener feedback on the last episode about safe spaces for LGBTIQ communities when it comes to suicide prevention. Missed the interview? Have a listen here. You can also subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below and on all of your usual podcast players: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts 

In this episode of 'A World Where LivingWorks', we talk with Vice President of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project, Sam Brinton. The Trevor Project is the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people. The Trevor Project offers a suite of 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention programs, including TrevorLifeline, TrevorText, and TrevorChat as well as the world's largest safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth, TrevorSpace. Trevor also operates an education program with resources for youth-serving adults and organizations, an advocacy department fighting for pro-LGBTQ legislation and against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric/policy positions, and a research team to discover the most effective means to help young LGBTQ people in crisis and end suicide. Sam works to ensure The Trevor Project is advancing policies and positions that help LGBTQ youth in crisis. They lead Trevor's work on the federal, state and local level and in the executive, legislative and judicial branches with focus on both LGBTQ issues as well as the mental health and suicide prevention space. Subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below and all of your usual podcast players: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Click here for a full transcript of this episode.  

In this Podclub epilogue we share listener feedback on the last episode about engaging diverse communities and cultures in suicide prevention. Missed the interview? Have a listen here. You can also subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below and on all of your usual podcast players: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts 

In this episode, host Kim Borrowdale talks with Chukumeka (Chukes) Maxwell about how to engage diverse communities and cultures in suicide prevention. Chukes is the founder of Action To Prevent Suicide CIC - a Devon based non-profit dedicated to raising funds for community-based programs focused on suicide prevention.    Born in London, to African and Caribbean parents, Chuke's family emigrated back to Nigeria in 1965 but Chukumeka was then evacuated to the UK in 1967 as a refugee from the Biafran civil war. He has have also lived in Jamaica and Belize. Chukes has had a very eclectic working life, from training in the hotel industry after school to opening an award-winning delicatessen and later his own catering company, then re-training as a holistic deep tissue massage therapist and later as a registered Social worker.  A part-time lecturer at the University of Plymouth, Chukumeka is now also a suicide prevention trainer specializing in LivingWorks programs, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer (ASIST) and safeTALK.  Subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below and all of your usual podcast players: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this Podclub epilogue we share feedback on the last episode from listeners around the world. Many who commented, whether they identify as part of a faith group or not, are supporters of faith communities prioritizing suicide first aid training. Missed the interview? Have a listen here. You can also subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below and on all of your usual podcast players: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts 

Faith communities play a critical role in providing connectedness, fostering resiliency, and offering hope.  In this episode, host Kim Borrowdale talks with LivingWorks Director of Faith Community Engagement, Glen Bloomstrom about how to galvanize faith groups when it comes to suicide prevention. Chaplain Bloomstrom served three decades as an activity duty Chaplain in the United States Army, is a LivingWorks ASIST and safeTALK trainer as well as team lead for our newest online program, LivingWorks Faith.  Subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below and all of your usual podcast players: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts  YouTube Click here for a full transcript of this episode.

In this Podclub epilogue we share feedback on the last episode from listeners around the world. Comments ranged from reflections on the concept of modern masculinity to practical lessons learned in the training room when it comes to engaging men in suicide prevention. Missed the interview? Have a listen here. You can also subscribe to the series and check out previous episodes via the below and on all of your usual podcast players: Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify Podcasts 

Our first episode this season is “Modern Masculinity”. Host Kim Borrowdale talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Zac Seidler. As a researcher and leading men's mental health expert, he currently holds dual roles as Director of Mental Health Training at Movember and Research Fellow with Orygen at the University of Melbourne. Dr. Seidler has dedicated his academic and professional career towards further understanding men's mental health and masculinity. His ultimate goal is to help reduce the staggering rate of male suicide worldwide.  Subscribe to the series: On Apple Podcasts here  On Google Podcasts here On Spotify here TRANSCRIPTS TO PODCAST INTERVIEW

Guess what? We're starting a podclub! You know, like a book club but you get together to chat about the podcast. Podclub! In this series, we're talking with people from communities and cultures around the world to try to better understand the concept of suicide and its prevention in their context. These are big discussions that possibly raise more questions than answers. That's why alongside this series we've started a podclub.  Follow LivingWorks on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and each time we publish a podcast episode we'll also post some podclub questions. As you reflect on that episode you can add your comments and questions to the post, or, where it's safe to do so, get together with friends and colleagues to have a discussion in person and let us know how that goes.  Suicide is complex and its prevention is fair from simple but together we can try to better understand what it means for different communities. To build a world where LivingWorks. See you in Podclub!   Subscribe on Apple Podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast... Subscribe on Google Podcasts at https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0... Subscribe on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/32xZjzU...

Welcome to series two of A World Where LivingWorks!  In this series we talk with people from different communities and cultures around the world to try to better understand the concept of suicide and its prevention in their context. We're discussing some big stuff that doesn't have easy answers.  We talking about everything from modern masculinity to galvanising faith groups. We look at the challenges of walking in two worlds as First Nations People...refugee and migrant families who call two countries home...and how to create safe spaces for LGBTIQ communities. In each episode we'll discuss the nuances of language when it comes to suicide. How do you prevent suicide when the word itself isn't used in some countries and cultures? When lives have been lost to suicide, how do different cultures process grief and loss? We talk with people about taking positive action in their community.  How have they engaged decision makers, local people with influence, and everyday people in suicide first aid? Every community and culture is different. But suicide and its prevention is something we all have in common. Series two coming soon! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/a-world-where-livingworks/id1529208927 Subscribe on Google Podcasts at https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2xpdmluZ3dvcmtzL2ZlZWQueG1s Subscribe on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/32xZjzUuIMexRZQ0xonZGY  

This episode is all about moving our minds from the concept of managing risk to building networks of safety when it comes to suicide prevention and mental wellbeing. In “Building Networks of Safety” host Kim Borrowdale talks with Bruce Turley and Edmund McCombs. Bruce is a well-known LivingWorks contributor and has been part of the team for 20 years, working on design, development, and evaluation. He walks us through the evolution of suicide first aid training and discusses how approaches have shifted over the past decades to current best practices in training. Edmund McCombs is the Head of External Partnerships and General Manager, Social Sustainability for global property and construction company LendLease. Edmund pulls back the curtain on how a global workplace in the property and construction industry is at the forefront of shifting from incident management of physical safety to thinking about supporting staff as people bringing their whole selves to work daily and what that means for their physical and mental health and safety. Click here for transcripts. 

The sixth and final episode in the first series of our podcast A World Where LivingWorks is “Behind Crisis Lines”. This episode takes a look at the people and practices behind crisis lines and suicide intervention support services. Who are the voices at the other end of the line? What training and support do they receive to be there for people in distress? And how have these organisations put processes in place to take care of themselves and each other? Host Kim Borrowdale talks to Joe Ball, CEO of Switchboard Victoria, Australia, and Shari Sinwelski, Vice President of National Networks, Vibrant Emotional Health and Deputy Director, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the United States.  Switchboard is a suicide prevention organization that provides peer-driven support services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer, and asexual LGBTIQA+ people, their families, allies, and communities.  Vibrant Emotional Health administers the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the US with funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The aim is to provide 24/7 support to anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis in the US through a network of crisis centres across the country. Close to 200 centres have joined the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and take calls from individuals in their local communities. Click here for transcripts

The fifth episode in our podcast A World Where LivingWorks is “First on the Scene”. This episode is all about living well in the first responder and emergency services workforces. Host Kim Borrowdale talks with Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent and LivingWorks trainer Paul Bertrand. The FBI is an intelligence-driven and threat-focused national security organization in the United States with both intelligence and law enforcement responsibilities. The FBI works around the globe and employs close to 36,000 people, including special agents and support professionals such as intelligence analysts, language specialists, scientists, and information technology specialists.  Also joining the conversation from the United Kingdom is Andy Chapman. Andy is a former police officer with many years of his three-decade policing career spent as a hostage negotiator where he often negotiated at length with people planning to take their own lives. Andy is a safeTALK trainer and now the Suicide Prevention Lead for the City of York.  Click here for transcripts 

The fourth episode in our podcast A World Where LivingWorks is “Putting Care in Healthcare”. This episode is all about healthcare, hospitals, and essential workers and finding the balance between education, understanding, and peer support when it comes to suicide prevention in healthcare. Host Kim Borrowdale speaks with University of Calgary nursing professor Dr. Jacqueline Smith in Canada, and  President of the Singapore Association of Social Workers Chey May Long (May). They discuss better ways to support those working in health to build skills and understanding when it comes to suicide prevention for patients and their families and really put the care in healthcare. And they touch on how health workers themselves can find balance between helping others and looking after their own mental wellness. Click here for transcripts   

This episode is all about suicide prevention in schools. How can we safely and effectively build suicide intervention skills in young people? And we ask our guests the question, what have we learned about training in schools, as well as how do we support those around young people such as teachers, parents, and carers? Host Kim Borrowdale speaks with Associate Professor Jo Robinson from Orygen, an Australian youth mental health organisation, where she leads a program of work focused upon youth suicide prevention. Jo has also undertaken evaluation of the efficacy and acceptability of LivingWorks safeTALK for secondary school students. Joining Kim and Jo is Kathleen Snyder, a Senior Training Coach of ASIST with three decades of experience with that program, as well as a safeTALK Instructor. Kathleen has a Master of Social Work, is a Law Enforcement and Community Chaplain, and is the California Representative for LivingWorks, supporting more than 500 trainers in that region. Click here for transcripts  

The second episode in our new podcast A World Where LivingWorks is “Protecting Our Protectors”. This episode is all about living well in the defence and military communities and asking that all important question, when it comes to suicide and mental health, how are we protecting the lives of those who protect ours? Host Kim Borrowdale speaks with Sergeant First Class Chris Allen, Suicide Prevention Program Manager for the South Carolina Army National Guard in the USA, and Dr. Stephanie Hodson, National Manager of Open Arms, a Veterans and families counselling organization in Australia. Both are Veterans and both their organizations use LivingWorks programs, as well as others, to keep their communities safe from suicide. In the podcast they both zeroed in on some similarities they see when it comes to those who serve in the military regardless of which country you're from. Click here for transcripts.

So, what is this podcast all about? And when you're spoiled for choice, why should you choose this podcast?  Whether you are working in suicide prevention or interested in implementing suicide first aid into your workplace or community, this podcast is for you.  In this series our host Kim Borrowdale will be talking with people from all over the world with different personal and professional perspectives, with research backgrounds, clinical experience and on the ground expertise in building stronger, more cohesive communities.  In each episode she'll talk with two people from different countries who share a common interest or profession to share with you what they've learned when it comes to suicide prevention and creating industry and community networks of safety. From construction to healthcare, military veterans and first responders (including the FBI) to schools and education. All bring their unique professional perspectives. Many bring their personal experiences with suicide to the table. Wherever they live and work. Whatever their backgrounds. They all share this in common. A passion for making a positive difference and a drive to contribute to a world where living works. Don't miss new episodes as they drop over the coming weeks. Subscribe to A World Where LivingWorks on all the usual channels. And make sure you share episodes you find interesting with your family, friends and colleagues on social media tagging LivingWorks.