THE CHALLENGE
Addressing suicide requires a multi-pronged approach that encompasses staff training as well as effective communication of an organization’s policies and procedures. Clinical staff must possess the core competencies they need to identify, assess, and manage risk effectively. Treatment models and assessment tools changes as the research develops, making continual training based on current research essential.
Behavioral Health Organizations
Even behavioral health clinicians need support to tackle the difficult subject of suicide with their clients. And all staff need to have at least a foundational understanding of indicators of suicide risk factors, as well as know what to do if risk levels reach a certain point.
Community Health and Primary Care Organizations
Primary care practices play a critical role in reversing the upward trend in suicide rate, as research has shown that a significant percentage of individuals who die by suicide—up to 45%—have visited their primary care provider within a month of their death. Indeed, with the shift to providing integrated care within community health centers, there is a major opportunity for positive impact. Physicians, nurse practitioners, nurse educators and even front desk staff, all need role-appropriate training.
Hospitals and Health Systems
Emergency Departments are often the setting in which individuals who attempt suicide receive lifesaving intervention. But individuals who die by suicide have often also been seen in the ED before their death, making the ED yet another setting in which providers must possess core competencies in triaging, assessing and making the appropriate discharge plan for patients at elevated risk of suicide.
Public Safety and Correctional Settings
Mental health professionals and others working in correctional settings must understand how to identify when an individual is at risk for suicide and know what to do for the determined level of risk.
Relias offers courses on suicide risk assessment and treatment that are designed specifically for the various staff at healthcare, human service and public safety organizations.
THE 2%: THE KEVIN HINES STORY
Hear Kevin Hines tell his story of struggling with mental illness and surviving a Golden Gate bridge jump.
WEBINARS
Suicide Prevention: Science & Trends
Hear from Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, as she provides an overview of the current state of suicide in the United States.
Watch the webinarStriving for Perfection in Suicide Care
This webinar provides an overview of the Zero Suicide framework, covers the key differences between a systems approach to suicide prevention and the status quo, and considers the experience of one agency that achieved a signification reduction in suicides for those in their care.
Learn MoreDARKNESS UNDER THE LIGHTS
The Joe Williams Story: As a professional athlete, Joe never thought his toughest opponent would be his own depression and suicidal thoughts. With help from professionals, he feels he has a second chance at life.
PREVIEW OUR COURSES
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 MoreBehavioral 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 MoreSuicide 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 MoreSuicide 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 MoreFROM EXPERIENCE TO ADVOCACY
The Matt Runnall’s Story: The founder of Mindfull Aus too his and others’ experiences of battling mental illness and suicidality, and turned it into fighting stigma through education and awareness.
RELATED ARTICLES
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 MoreSuicide 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 MoreHow 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 MoreSuicide Risk: A Growing Concern
The suicide rate increased 25% in less than two decades across the US, and more than 1 million people have made a suicide attempt in the past year.
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