WELCOME TO BILL VASSILOPOULOS' OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Author of Eyes Above the Water, and Suicide Survivor
Former Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Master Trainer (10 years) with LivingWorks Education
Former Psychological First Aid Instructor with the Canadian Red Cross
Bill Vassilopoulos spent a decade delivering ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), one of the most widely used suicide intervention programs. He has trained hundreds of individuals to recognize risk, respond effectively, and connect people to help.
He also served as a Psychological First Aid Instructor with the Canadian Red Cross, equipping individuals to support people in distress during crisis situations. His work focuses on translating proven intervention frameworks into clear, practical steps that anyone can apply.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Vassilopoulos has trained a wide range of audiences, including first responders (firefighters, military, and police), Indigenous community leaders, educators and guidance counsellors, healthcare professionals, crisis line workers, social workers, and both corporate and non-profit organizations. He has also worked with students, parents, community advocates, and faith leaders—reaching individuals and groups across Canada and the United States who are committed to supporting those around them.
Mr. Vassilopoulos also served as a Human Services Program Manager for nearly a decade, advocating for mental health resiliency while supporting individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Bill has been an avid blogger since 2017, keeping the public informed about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), also referred to as euthanasia, since it was legalized by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2016.
Bill grew up on the cold, flat prairies of Manitoba. Earlier in life, he worked primarily in the hospitality industry serving the public. He often reflects fondly on his first job as a cashier at a laundromat and car wash in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he enjoyed interacting with people and washing car bays during the summer of 1984. He later worked in the hotel industry as a dishwasher and waiter, eventually joining his parents’ restaurant as a waiter before going on to open two restaurants of his own.
At the age of 40, Bill’s professional path took a new direction. In 2010, he entered Bible college as a mature student and earned a Certificate in Biblical Studies from Steinbach Bible College. During this time, he worked at two restaurants and secured a position as a direct support worker with a non-profit organization serving adults with disabilities. In 2011, he was promoted to Program Manager, overseeing two programs and leading teams that supported individuals with a wide range of disabilities.
That same year, a close person in Bill’s life nearly died by suicide. This life-altering event compelled him to take action, leading him to complete Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. That close call ignited a passion that ultimately led Bill to become a Registered ASIST Trainer. He continues to educate, train, and write about the global suicide crisis to this day.
In 2005, Bill married his wife, Trudy, who continues to support his work. They now travel full-time as snowbirds in a travel trailer, exploring various regions and experiencing diverse cultures throughout the United States.
In 2025, they exchanged prairie life for the breathtaking mountains and lakes of Wildrose Alberta, Canada, where they now reside, enjoying quality time with their family and their new community.
Bill is currently touring the United States to promote his latest release, Eyes Above the Water, while developing his third book, Back to the Land. The upcoming work explores his upbringing, including early exposure to traditional Greek cooking, gardening, and butchery skills learned from his parents, alongside his extensive road travels and personal journey toward a healthier, more intentional way of living.
