Suicide Prevention

This webinar will consider basic strategies in addressing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, techniques for assessing suicidal ideation and considerations for best practices in responding to these unique situations. In addition we will evaluate how suicide may or may not have impacted us personally and the role that plays in our practice. This course will satisfy the 2 hour Suicide Awareness/Prevention CEUs required for behavioral health workers.

In the last few years, more firefights and police officers have died by suicide than in the line of duty. Indeed, it is also believed that the numbers of reported suicides for first responders are usually underestimated. This workshop will explore the phenomenon of First Responder suicide including causes/conditions and learn what is being done to prevent suicide in this vulnerable population. Additionally, resources for peers, family members, and professionals will be investigated with attendees to help them take an active role in providing support to the First Responders in their lives.

Facilitated by Dr. Sarah Steelman, attendees can look forward to acquiring knowledge of suicide prevention in working with transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. Inpatient considerations and scholarship on elevated risk of suicide for the community. This will include tips on how to help client advocate for themselves if they go to an inpatient hospital as well as understanding minority stress theory and ways inpatient hospitals can impact a client’s dysphoria and how to help them when they return to your office to work through this. Course content will focus on WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) evidence-based Standards of Care.

Dr. Rory Reid will be discussing suicidality among problem gamblers and integrate the findings from a recent study looking at this issue among Las Vegas gamblers. Discussion will focus on suicide prevention strategies. The second half of the presentation will talk about stress coping strategies, given so many problem gamblers have experienced additional stressors related to the pandemic.