Order Eyes Above the Water Now
Suicide Survivor & Author
Registered Crisis Intervention Trainer
• Former Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Master Trainer, LivingWorks Education, Calgary, Alberta
• Former Psychological First Aid Instructor (PFAI), Red Cross Canada
For over a decade, Mr. Vassilopoulos educated and trained First Responders (firefighters, military, and police officers), Indigenous community leaders, school educators, guidance counsellors and students, nurses, counsellors, hotline crisis workers, social workers, corporate and non-profit organizations, local community advocates, human services workers, college and university students, parents, concerned citizens, religious leaders and ministry teams—essentially anyone who deeply cared about their loved ones, families, or communities across Canada and the United States.
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 the love of his life, Trudy, who continues to support his mission. Together with their children, they travel full-time as snowbirds in their travel trailer, exploring new terrains 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 USA and promoting his new release book Eyes Above the Water while working on his third book, Back to the Land, in which he shares his upbringing, being introduced to traditional Greek cooking, gardening, and butchery skills from his parents, his wild road travels, and personal journey toward a healthier lifestyle. Stay tuned.
Bill Vassilopoulos
