River of Life: National Online Suicide Prevention Certificate Course aims to increase the prevention capabilities of adults working with Aboriginal youth at risk of suicide. The content for this course is a product of two years of research and extensive consultations with Elders and Aboriginal community members. The learning objectives include:
- Equip those working with youth to recognize youth at risk of suicide;
- Increase the ability of those who work with youth to strengthen the youth's protective factors and maximize the desire for life;
- Apply suicide intervention strategies taught in the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) in culturally appropriate context.
- Increase the participants' capability in accessing further support for youth who are at risk of suicide;
- Provide information and resources to graduates to use as a source of reference.
- Develop a depository for graduates to document processes, best practices, and resources that can be shared with Aboriginal communities across the nation.
Program Curriculum
- The curriculum was developed in collaboration with Elders, Aboriginal community members and the Centre for Suicide Prevention. The Centre for Suicide Prevention is a recognized educational centre specializing in curriculum development; training; and library and information services. This culturally based Aboriginal youth suicide prevention online certificate program is the first of its kind in Canada.
- The content is based on adult learning principles using variety of delivery mediums and learning activities.
- Video - Includes the use of videos such as: A Formal Apology to Aboriginal Canadians;
- Audio - All curriculum will be fully audio enabled to allow the course participant to listen to the course like an audio book;
- Culturally rich content such as Beginning stories will instill a sense of belonging and identity;
- Case Studies - The course will incorporate Case Studies allowing the participants to apply the knowledge and to employ best practices to specific case scenarios;
- Feedback - Participants will be given specific feedback at each stage of the course including responses to questions, best practices and current research. Elders, Aboriginal community experts and educators will provide reflections relevant to the learning exercises.
