Classroom Course » Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention

This course outlines the general principles of suicide risk identification, assessment,management, and their practical applications in evaluating and working with individuals who are at risk as well as with clients with chronic, severe mental disorders. It presents psycho-therapeutic and behavioral intervention strategies in managing suicide risks and behaviors. It provides understanding of the impact of mental health problems and psychiatric disorders such as Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Trauma Disorders,developmental issues on the suicide risk.  It presents the complex and challenging phenomenon of self-injurious/self-harming behaviors such as self-cutting, self-burning,self-hitting, hair pulling etc. especially in teens and adolescents and how they differ from suicide gestures and attempts.  It provides assessment and treatment tools to work with clients engaging in such behaviors.

1.  Identify risk factors for suicide and self-harming behaviors in individuals who experiences significant psycho-social stressors and clients with severe chronic mental disorders
2.  Summarize risk assessment strategies and protocol in the evaluation of suicide risk
3.   Recognize the common pitfalls and errors in working with clients in crisis and at risk for suicide.
4.  Develop and apply interviewing techniques in working with clients in crisis situations.
5.   Identify and apply appropriate suicide risk management strategies including safety plan and mobilization of family and community resources as lifelines for clients.
6.   Present and summarize the complex and challenging phenomenon of self-injurious/self-harming behaviors such as self-cutting, self-burning, self-hitting,hair pulling etc. and how they differ from suicide gestures and attempts.
7.   Develop and apply assessment and treatment strategies in working with youths, adolescents and other clients who engage in self-harming behaviors.

Social workers, case managers, and other mental health, behavioral health professionals, substance abuse counselors, other healthcare professionals and educators.