If you are in crisis or know someone who is, please call or share the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Importance of Suicide Prevention Training As we continue to navigate the coronavirus pandemic, studies are now showing the impact that physical and social isolation, job stress, and the uncertainty of the unknown are having on our mental health. This impact has led to an increase in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among both healthcare professionals and the general population. With suicide being the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, it’s important for your entire staff to be aware of proper suicide prevention protocols. No matter your care setting, suicide prevention training should be an integral part of your practice. We hope this page serves as a resource on best practices in identifying, assessing, and responding to suicide risk in persons served. Using Training to Improve Suicide Prevention Efforts Simulation and scenario-based training provide staff with a safe space to learn new skills and critically apply them in a relevant situation. When it comes to identifying and preventing suicide, simulation training can help staff bridge the knowing-doing gap by reinforcing learned skills and improving confidence when they need to apply the same skills to a real-life situation. Relias’ behavioral health training library includes suicide prevention simulation training that enables clinicians to apply their critical thinking, knowledge, and skills. Sample our simulation training courses below to see just how impactful this type of training can be to improve staff skills and confidence when working with clients expressing suicidal thoughts. Sample Course In Session: Suicide Assessment and Intervention for Adults This course is designed to provide behavioral health clinicians with the ability to apply critical thinking, knowledge and skills in simulated clinical sessions and to real-world experiences. Learn More Course Preview Behavioral Health Screening Tools Behavioral health screening can improve the identification of disorders that may have otherwise gone unnoticed and untreated, facilitate referrals to needed services, and reduce adverse outcomes. Learn More Course Preview Suicide Screening for Direct Care In the past decade, the number of deaths by suicide has increased, and even greater numbers of people attempt or have frequent thoughts about suicide. It is therefore likely that you will encounter suicidal individuals in your work. Learn More Course Preview Suicide in Corrections: Identifying Suicide Risk Preview this course on suicide in corrections which covers suicide risk factors, correctional stressors, warning signs and strategies for identifying suicide risk. Learn More Webinars on Suicide Prevention Upcoming: Introduction to Relias’ Suicide Prevention Simulation Training Courses In this webinar, learn the benefits of scenario-based learning and simulation training and preview Relias’ suicide prevention simulation courses. Register for the webinar here Upcoming: Saving Our Children: Current Considerations for Preventing Suicide in Children and Adolescents Explore the role of parents, guardians, and other caregivers in supporting suicide prevention in children and adolescents and understand the next steps and tools to effectively screen for suicide in this population. Register for the webinar here Webinar Addressing the Growing Rate of Suicide in the Black Community Statistics on the growing rate of suicide in the Black community and what organizations can do to improve suicide prevention and treatment. Learn More Webinar Suicide Prevention: Science and Trends Watch this webinar to learn about current trends, advocacy efforts in the U.S., and evidence-based best practices in suicide prevention and treatment. Learn More Preventing Suicide in Public Safety Settings Front-line correctional staff often carry a heavy burden to identify, monitor, and respond to suicidal behaviors in correctional facilities. Providing staff with knowledge and tools can make identifying suicide risk easier. Course Preview Suicide in Corrections: Identifying Suicide Risk Preview this course on suicide in corrections which covers suicide risk factors, correctional stressors, warning signs and strategies for identifying suicide risk. Learn More It’s Time for a Comprehensive Solution to Suicide Prevention Suicide was labeled a U.S. public health crisis by the Surgeon General in 1999. Twenty years later, it remains a public health crisis. A different approach is needed. Learn More Preventing Suicide in Correctional Facilities: The Correctional Officer’s Role Front-line correctional staff often carry the heaviest burden to identify, monitor and respond to suicidal behaviors in correctional facilities. Learn More Real Stories on Overcoming Suicide The 2%: The Kevin Hines Story Listen to Kevin Hines tell his story with mental illness and surviving a jump from the Golden Gate bridge. “We’re never going to change a generation until the generations that are coming up know what to look for and how to get that person to safety before the suicide attempt occurs, before the mental breakdown happens. And when we get that training in place on a national basis, and its mandatory, you will see someone be able to represent for a loved one and know that they’ve done the right thing no matter the outcome.” – Kevin Hines Darkness Under the Lights: The Joe Williams Story Hear professional athlete Joe Williams share how he overcame his toughest opponents: depression and suicidal thoughts. “A simple thing like mental health first aid training can stop so many people from going down those tough roads. If we can train up so many people to be equipped to be able to help people when they’re in their struggle, I believe we’ll see a reduction in suicides because we’ll see people getting help.” – Joe Williams From Experience to Advocacy: The Matt Runnall Story Hear Matt Runnall share his experience with bipolar disorder and suicidality, and how he is now fighting the stigma through education and awareness. “I now live with bipolar disorder. I live with chronic suicide ideations, but I understand it’s a big part of my journey and I’m very grateful for the journey that I am on. I’m out here now showing people that you can live a healthy, happy, fulfilling life even though I have that diagnosis and that diagnosis doesn’t have to become who I am.” – Matt Runnall Relias Resources For free courses on telehealth, self-care, and more, please visit our Coronavirus Toolkit. You can also check out these additional free resources below: Substance Use Disorder Training A key CCBHC requirement is the ability to provide substance use disorder services to anyone in your community. To help your staff treat SUDs, we’ve put together a resource page dedicated to training and resources on peer support, evidence-based treatment practices, and more. Learn More Telehealth COVID-19 has forced organizations and people to shift to telehealth. Review these resources to learn the benefits of telehealth and receive unlimited access to telehealth courses for you and your staff. Learn More Trauma-Informed Care The impact of trauma is far reaching and affects every aspect of health. By implementing a trauma-informed care approach, both staff and clients work together in a framework of wellness that produces improved outcomes. Review these resources to help transform your organizational culture and practice. Learn More Articles & Blogs Building A Life Worth Living: Seeing Hope Beyond Suicide Lorilee Binstock talks about her experiences struggling with suicidal feelings and what helped her get through them. Learn More Assessing Risk and Preventing Suicide via Telehealth With many clinicians now treating clients via telehealth, how can you safely assess, manage, and address suicidal ideation in a virtual environment? Learn More Suicide Prevention: How to Help When Social Determinants Spiral Social determinants of health play a very large role in substance use disorders and depression. These determinants feed off one another and produce a downward spiral effect that increase the risk of suicide. Learn More How to Improve Suicide Screenings in Primary and Integrated Care Evidence has shown that suicide risk screening in primary care is effective, yet there is still a serious need to improve the frequency with which they’re conducted. Learn More Additional Resources 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Veterans Crisis Line Suicide Prevention Resource Center American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Zero Suicide Mental Health First Aid National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Suicide Safe (SAMHSA) American Association of Suicidology Ensure Your Organization Is Prepared Training plays a critical role in suicide prevention and treatment efforts. Relias can help organizations: Build a culture committed to reducing suicide and continuous quality improvement Train a staff capable of identifying risk factors, assessing suicide risk, and providing quality care Promote the delivery of evidence-based care Evaluate and monitor staff performance Speak to a Relias representative to receive a personalized demonstration on how Relias tools and training can support your efforts to reduce suicide among the individuals you serve. Request a Demo
Sample Course In Session: Suicide Assessment and Intervention for Adults This course is designed to provide behavioral health clinicians with the ability to apply critical thinking, knowledge and skills in simulated clinical sessions and to real-world experiences. Learn More
Course Preview Behavioral Health Screening Tools Behavioral health screening can improve the identification of disorders that may have otherwise gone unnoticed and untreated, facilitate referrals to needed services, and reduce adverse outcomes. Learn More
Course Preview Suicide Screening for Direct Care In the past decade, the number of deaths by suicide has increased, and even greater numbers of people attempt or have frequent thoughts about suicide. It is therefore likely that you will encounter suicidal individuals in your work. Learn More
Course Preview Suicide in Corrections: Identifying Suicide Risk Preview this course on suicide in corrections which covers suicide risk factors, correctional stressors, warning signs and strategies for identifying suicide risk. Learn More
Webinar Addressing the Growing Rate of Suicide in the Black Community Statistics on the growing rate of suicide in the Black community and what organizations can do to improve suicide prevention and treatment. Learn More
Webinar Suicide Prevention: Science and Trends Watch this webinar to learn about current trends, advocacy efforts in the U.S., and evidence-based best practices in suicide prevention and treatment. Learn More
Course Preview Suicide in Corrections: Identifying Suicide Risk Preview this course on suicide in corrections which covers suicide risk factors, correctional stressors, warning signs and strategies for identifying suicide risk. Learn More
It’s Time for a Comprehensive Solution to Suicide Prevention Suicide was labeled a U.S. public health crisis by the Surgeon General in 1999. Twenty years later, it remains a public health crisis. A different approach is needed. Learn More
Preventing Suicide in Correctional Facilities: The Correctional Officer’s Role Front-line correctional staff often carry the heaviest burden to identify, monitor and respond to suicidal behaviors in correctional facilities. Learn More
Building A Life Worth Living: Seeing Hope Beyond Suicide Lorilee Binstock talks about her experiences struggling with suicidal feelings and what helped her get through them. Learn More
Assessing Risk and Preventing Suicide via Telehealth With many clinicians now treating clients via telehealth, how can you safely assess, manage, and address suicidal ideation in a virtual environment? Learn More
Suicide Prevention: How to Help When Social Determinants Spiral Social determinants of health play a very large role in substance use disorders and depression. These determinants feed off one another and produce a downward spiral effect that increase the risk of suicide. Learn More
How to Improve Suicide Screenings in Primary and Integrated Care Evidence has shown that suicide risk screening in primary care is effective, yet there is still a serious need to improve the frequency with which they’re conducted. Learn More