Etiology of Suicide and Provider Self Care

Suicide rates in the United States continue to increase, and many clinicians do not receive specialized training in assessment or intervention. In this interactive course, we discuss the common etiology of suicidal behavior as well as risk assessment, intervention, safety planning and prevention. We also provide a review of the importance of self-care in relation to compassion fatigue and grief.

Course objectives

• Review current status and trends of suicide on state and national levels and discuss impact of suicide on caregivers (personal and professional).
• Describe the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide as one way of defining the Etiology of Suicidality.
• Identify evidence-based approaches to suicide assessment and understanding of what makes someone suicidal.
• Explain the role and value of safety planning in an overall suicide prevention quality improvement initiative.
• Examine the science and evidence associated with safety planning.
• Illustrate how to create a safety plan with a client, including examples of types of elements that can be included in a plan.
• Review concepts of compassion fatigue and self-compassion and how this relates to their own self-care and grief process.

Level

Beginner to intermediate