Training Information

Caring Contact offers many training opportunities. Our application process for Volunteer Listener Training is different from the one for group trainings:

Volunteer Listening Training

• Individuals must first submit an application for review by the Caring Contact team.
• When and if applicants are notified that they have been accepted for Volunteer Listening Training, they can then proceed to register and pay for the upcoming training class.

  • Staffing our Crisis Helpline
  • 12 weeks of hybrid training (virtual training and in person), followed by one-on-one training in our call room to become an onsite listener
  • Training includes Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST); 15 hour certification course held over a full weekend on December 2nd & 3rd, 2023 from 8:30am-4:30pm. You must attend both days.
  • Fall 2023 sessions: Wednesday evenings - September 20th- December 13th from 6:30pm - 9:30pm
  • Cost – $299.00
  • All applicants must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination.
  • People interested in Volunteer Listening Training must apply and be accepted into the next class before making payment.
  • Click to learn more or email maryclaire.givelber@caringcontact.org
  • Once you become a Volunteer Listener, we require an 8-hour monthly commitment on the lines with flexible schedule options.

Group Trainings

• Hotline Awareness, Suicide Awareness and Intervention, and Learning to Prevent Teenage Suicide are customized trainings.
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a certification course.
• For group training or the certification course, please inquire by completing our contact form, and the Caring Contact team will reach out to you to directly.

Hotline Awareness

  • Help demystify the hotline by explaining what it’s like to call.
  • Hear stories from the hotline so people are more comfortable calling themselves.
  • Explain the various services we provide to broaden understanding of the hotline as a resource when someone is in emotional distress or is worried about someone else who is in emotional distress.
  • Empower people to look out for themselves and each other and know they are not alone.
  • Either in-person or online
  • No Charge for group sessions. (No minimum/maximum participants. Group size may vary.)

Suicide Awareness and Intervention

  • 2-hour training customized for your group
  • Ideal for middle and high school students or adults
  • Either in-person or online
  • Covers the basics of how to help someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts
  • Opportunity to learn and practice the words to say when you're concerned

Click here to learn more.

Location – North Central New Jersey

Learning to Prevent Teenage Suicide

  • 2-hour training customized for your group
  • Ideal for teachers, administrators, counselors, community groups, members of the clergy
  • Meets N.J.S.A. 186A:6-112 Statutory Requirement for Suicide Training

Click here to learn more.

Location – North Central New Jersey

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