Scheme up for top prize

A Grampian training programme has been short-listed for anational award.

Set up by Choose Life, it has provided more than 850 people inthe area with the skills to spot the signs of suicide.

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is anintensive two-day workshop which aims to give people the skills torecognise the risk of suicide and how to point a person in the rightdirection for help.

Linda Paterson, Choose Life co-ordinator for Aberdeenshire, said:"ASIST is so innovative as it encourages open and honest talk abouta subject that has traditionally been regarded as taboo.

"By talking and encouraging people to seek help, any one of uscan help prevent people from reaching that point of despair."

The prestigious award ceremony, which takes place in Glasgowtoday, will recognise trainers in Grampian who are part of anetwork which has delivered the training to over 11,000 people in Scotland.