Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment, and Intervention (6 CE)

Course Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

This course is for: Social Workers, Psychologists, Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors

Course Developed By: Jennifer Kolb, LCSW in conjunction with Kristen Wilkinson, Psy.D.

Bio: Jennifer Kolb, LCSW; Social Work Consultant, reviewed and determined the course meets requirements for continuing education in the field of social work. This course is appropriate for masters and clinical level social workers. Jennifer graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Work with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. She specializes in school-based psychotherapy with children and adolescents, as well as licensing exam coaching and preparation.

Content By:  Stone, D.M., Holland, K.M., Bartholow, B., Crosby, A.E., Davis, S., and Wilkins, N. (2017). Gerry Grossman, MA, LMFT, Melanie Haro, MA, LMFT, Kristen Hudson, MA, LMFT, Nancy Klein, MA, LMFT, Chuck Moshontz, MA, LMFT, Mary Ella Viehe, Ph.D, LMFT, Samantha Deming, MA, LMFT, Patricia Patton-Lehn, Ph.D., Aaliyah Madyun, B.A.

Course Description: This course is intended for people working in mental health care, public health, education, justice, health care, social services, business, labor, and government sectors to help educate and encourage the usage of suicide prevention strategies in communities and states. First, a brief summary of this technical package is presented and focuses on its three components of strategy, approach, and evidence. A detailed overview of each of these components is examined, including preventative directives, risk assessment, specific ways to advance the strategies, intervention techniques, and evidence that supports these strategies and approaches.

In the United States, more than 30,000 deaths occur each year because of suicide. Each day, approximately 86 Americans will die by suicide. Suicide is now the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S., which is greater than the rate of death by homicide or AIDS-related deaths. This course will explore suicide risk that is associated with mental disorders, ethnic populations, and with regard to age (e.g., elders, children, adolescents and college-age adults). This presentation provides therapists techniques for developing suicide assessment protocols and treatment interventions, and in treating suicidal behaviors using a Dialectical Behavior Therapy model.

Learning Objectives:

1. Summarize the overall importance of preventing suicide.
2. Summarize the strategies presented that focus on primary prevention of the risk of suicide.
3. Provide examples of approaches to lessen the immediate and long-term harms of suicidal behavior for individuals, families, communities, and society.
4. Cite key evidence that supports approaches to prevent suicide and its risk factors.
5. Summarize monitoring and evaluation components of suicide prevention.
6. Identify mental disorders commonly associated with high suicide risk.
7. Identify cultural and age group characteristics that may increase suicide risk.
8. Provides the techniques for suicide assessment and treatment protocols.
9. Integrate Dialectical Behavior Therapy concepts and interventions into suicide treatment.

This course satisfies the California BBS 2020-2021 Suicide Prevention requirements for Psychologists, MFTs, Counselors, and Social Workers.

Approvals: