Suicide Risk Assessment

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be experienced by anyone but are more likely by people with mental health concerns. People who work with or care for vulnerable populations will likely encounter individuals talking about suicide and suicidal ideation, and it is important to project calm and poise at these times.

This class provides person-centered strategies to engage with people from diverse backgrounds to discuss suicide. Being able to engage with various populations about this topic allows for a more inclusive and equitable environment for accurate assessment. Talking about suicide with another person can be so difficult that most people default to avoiding the subject. Normalizing the topic and being able to use respectful language when engaging with someone expressing thoughts of suicide is necessary for providing comprehensive support services in our communities. This class aims to improve comfort and skill levels with this difficult and emotional topic by exploring and practicing assessment protocols and conversation dynamics.