On Oct. 3-6, 2024, the 29th annual ASIST NL Trainer conference provided LivingWorks Trainers the opportunity to connect, learn and grow with one another. “Where There’s a Glimmer, There’s Hope” – the theme of this year’s conference – marked the 29th conference put on by the ASIST NL team.

LivingWorks’ Training and Delivery Manager of Ontario, Canada, Jenny-Lee Almeida, attended the conference for the very first time. Below, you can read her thoughts of the ASIST NL experience, and browse photos highlighting the excitement from this year’s conference!

As the Training and Delivery Manager for Ontario, Canada, and a LivingWorks ASIST & LivingWorks safeTALK Trainer/Coach, attending the ASIST NL Conference 2024 for the first time was an experience I will cherish forever. The theme, “Where There’s a Glimmer, There’s Hope,” resonated through every session, conversation and shared moment. Gathering LivingWorks Trainers from across the world was a powerful reminder of the impact we have as a global community working towards one mission: to help make every community safer from suicide. 

Deepening Skills and Understanding: Coaching Sessions and Workshops 

The conference began on Friday, October 4th with LivingWorks ASIST Coaching Sessions that took us deeper into the intricacies of Facilitating Connecting and Support Turning. These discussions emphasized the importance of creating meaningful connections, even in the most difficult conversations. As Trainers, we continuously seek to refine our skills, and the insights shared during these sessions strengthened my approach to delivering impactful LivingWorks ASIST and LivingWorks safeTALK workshops. 

Later that day, we shifted focus to Including Diversity in Facilitation, a critical session where we explored how to make our trainings more inclusive and accessible for all. The emphasis on cultural humility, recognizing biases, and ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and supported was invaluable. This session was followed by a robust LivingWorks ASIST Q&A, where trainers were able to share best practices and strategies, fostering a truly collaborative learning environment. 

During the LivingWorks safeTALK Trainers’ Meeting, we discussed our collective successes and challenges. These conversations reinforced our shared commitment to making the world a safer place by continuing to strengthen the network of LivingWorks safeTALK Trainers across communities. 

Saturday, October 5th was packed with insightful presentations, including: From Stigma to Support in the 2SLGBTQ+ Community and Understanding Compassion Fatigue & Burnout, which highlighted the importance of taking care of us while supporting others.  One of the most touching sessions for me personally as a lover of journaling was Discovering Your Glimmers, where we reflected on the moments of hope and joy that sustain us in our work. Journaling and personal reflection were encouraged as ways to reconnect with the reasons we do this work and to remind ourselves that glimmers of hope are always around us, even in the darkest times.  

Evening Celebrations Honouring Extraordinary Trainers 

The evenings at the ASIST NL Conference were filled with hope, love, celebration and joy! On Friday night, we enjoyed a wonderful Dinner and NL Hospitality Event, where we had the opportunity to connect, share stories, get ‘Screeched in’ as a new time attending and build stronger connections with fellow Trainers. 

The highlight of the second night was the Night of Glimmer, where we were invited to come dressed in a bit of glimmer! This was a night of celebration and recognition, as every attendee was honored with a milestone pin for their years of dedicated service to suicide prevention. Receiving my 10-year pin was an incredibly meaningful moment, marking a decade of delivering LivingWorks trainings and witnessing the life-changing impact of this work. 

A particularly special moment was meeting Richard Ramsay, one of the founders of LivingWorks and one of the creators of LivingWorks ASIST. Richard’s visionary leadership set the global standard for suicide intervention, and his ongoing dedication continues to inspire all of us. Standing beside Richard in this photo, such a compassionate mentor was my greatest glimmer of the conference. Thank you, Richard—you have touched countless lives, including mine. 

Alongside Karen Simba, we had the honor of presenting the LivingWorks Gold Awards to three exceptional trainers. Their dedication to expanding Networks of Safety and reducing the stigma surrounding suicide is truly remarkable. It was a privilege to present these awards and stand with them in recognition and celebration of their invaluable contributions! 

• Alvin, who joined LivingWorks in 1998, has delivered 131 ASIST workshops, training over 2,723 participants. His commitment to reaching diverse communities is commendable. 
• Angela Warren, who joined LivingWorks in 2013, has facilitated 155 ASIST workshops, training over 2,933 participants. Her tireless efforts have greatly strengthened our network of support and safety.
• Jessica Morton, who began training in 2014, has facilitated 114 ASIST workshops, training over 1,544 participants. Her dedication has made a significant contribution to our collective mission of suicide prevention.

The final day of the conference brought us together for a beautiful Gathering of Gratitude. We shared stories, expressed thanks and reflected on our shared experiences and the future direction of our work during the Conference Review and Conference Debrief. 

The 29-year legacy of the ASIST NL Conference is a testament to the incredible dedication and vision of the LivingWorks community. It was an honor to attend this conference and to be surrounded by such inspiring trainers and leaders who are making a difference in the world. Together, we will continue to create ripples of safety and compassion that extend far beyond our immediate communities.

A heartfelt thank you to the ASIST NL Executive Team, who worked hard over the past year to make this event such a success:

• Randy Hanlon, President
• Tina Davies, Vice President
• Scott Thistle, Treasurer
• Janice Daley, Secretary
• Tracy Hynes, Conference Co-Chair

Special acknowledgment of the phenomenal leadership of Tracy Hynes and Randy Hanlon. Both are an exemplary embodiment showing that teamwork matters. Their passion for and commitment to suicide prevention and building communities that strengthen and empower Livingworks trainers, has been unwavering. Congratulations and best wishes to you both as you past the torch as a new ASIST NL executive was voted in at the close of the conference activities this year.

Welcome to the new ASIST NL Executive Team:

• • Tina Davies, President
• • Kim Goodyear, Vice President
• • Scott Thistle, Treasurer
• • Janice Daley, Secretary
• • Jill Hammond, Conference Co-Chair

Your exceptional hospitality, guidance, and vision made this conference a truly unforgettable experience.