Suicide Assessment & Management

The ability to conduct an informed suicide risk assessment is a vital skill for any clinician working with high-risk populations. The Suicide Assessment and Management training is a workshop scheduled for Friday, June 2nd, 2023 in the Jon Bradley Conference Room at Preble Street, 55 Portland Street, Portland, ME 04101. (NAMI does not provide lunch, so please plan accordingly).

The training is designed to prepare a new or seasoned healthcare or mental health clinician to understand the risk of suicide, how to approach and complete an effective suicide risk assessment. The focus is on assessment skills across the lifespan. This is designed for those working in clinical roles, including social workers, nurses, and medical practitioners within an agency, private practice, or school/college. Though master’s level training is not required, a strong working knowledge of mental health clinical work is.

The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) will be used as a recommended tool for assessment. A systemic approach to suicide prevention is followed where assessment, intervention, collaborative safety planning, and assured follow-up are the critical elements.

Specific focus will include:
·      Trends in suicide in Maine and the US
·      Suicide risk associated with specific mental disorders
·      Recognition of increased risk of suicide in specific populations
·      The risk assessment interview process and content
·      Determination for referral or level of care placement of a suicidal client
·      Liability and documentation
·      Suicide loss survivor needs, including clinicians as survivors

 Learning Objectives:
·      Articulate a rationale for a systemic approach to suicide assessment and management within a system of care
·      Describe the components of a suicide risk assessment interview, using the C-SSRS tools
·      Use the elements of risk assessment to determine level of care needs and corresponding appropriate resources
·      Understand the rationale and applicability of Collaborative safety planning, referrals, and follow-up to help manage risk

Instructor: Greg A. Marley, LCSW, Suicide Prevention Director

Contact: Julianne McLaughlin, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, (207) 622-5767 ext. 2318; mspp@namimaine.org

Event Attendance: Open to Public