This video-rich course reviews current assessment instruments used to screen clients for suicidality and explores best practices and evidence based strategies for suicide prevention. From assessing patient/client needs through designing treatment plans and discharge strategies, students will explore and identify the overall suicide risk assessment challenges in conjunction with mandated use of evidence-based assessment tools, to development of a plan of treatment (in-patient or out-patient). Commencing with in-patient evaluations through discharge and release, we’ll review specific interview components, including client safety plans for both patient/client and family and/or significant others participating in the plan, concluding with developing a self-care (client safety) plan. Course participants will explore the Zero-Suicide Model and Care Plan through a Group Discussion of community education and mobilization for the fictional City of Midway.

Course Objectives

  1. List 3 patient/client presentations in clinical suicide risk assessments that would indicate a need for in-patient hospitalization.
  2. List 3 major areas of Rapid Assessment Instruments (RAIs) clinicians should evaluate prior to selecting and using a RAI in their practice.
  3. Identify 3steps in the treatment of at-risk individuals present in the Zero Suicide Model (micro level).
  4. Name 3 elements that utilize groups within a Patient Safety Plan that connect patients/clients to others for support (mezzolevel).
  5. If you are acting as a community contributor in building a suicide prevention model, identify 3 of the 7 areas intended to establish an organizational/community-wide system of care (macro level).