Suicide Assessment, Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand which populations are at highest risk for suicidal behavior and be able to apply this knowledge to protect vulnerable patient groups

2. Be able to list common intrinsic characteristics of patients most likely to exhibit suicidality

3. Know major extrinsic risk factors shown to contribute to suicidal behavior

4. Learn the interpersonal relationship theory of suicidality

5. Review treatment modalities with tested efficacy

6. Be able to explicate specific clinician behaviors and protocols that are proactive and protective in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings and behaviors which may prove negligent and harmful

7. Understand how positive clinician behaviors establish a standard of care that promotes treatment success and guards against harm to patients and lawsuits

8. Demonstrate the ability to apply information learned to clinical scenarios of patients at risk for suicide representative of practice situations common to the counseling profession

9. Develop the capacity to apply the learning objectives in clinical settings ranging from the provision of everyday patient care to the role of clinical staff interfacing with at risk clientele.

Suicide Assessment, Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment is a 4-hour continuing education (CE) course developed to help healthcare professionals recognize, evaluate, and intervene in suicide risk. With suicide remaining a major public health concern, healthcare providers play a critical role in early detection and response—often serving as the first point of contact for at-risk individuals.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of current best practices in suicide prevention, including screening tools, assessment models, and treatment planning. Participants will explore the psychological, environmental, and biological factors that contribute to suicidal behavior, as well as protective factors that support recovery and resilience.

Through evidence-based frameworks and real-world case scenarios, learners will improve their ability to identify warning signs, ask the right questions, and take timely, appropriate action. The course also emphasizes the importance of reducing stigma, improving communication, and ensuring continuity of care across healthcare settings.

Key topics include:

• Suicide risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors

• Screening and assessment tools used in clinical practice

• Diagnostic criteria related to suicidal ideation and behavior

• Crisis intervention strategies and safety planning

• Follow-up care and long-term treatment approaches

Ideal for nurses, mental health professionals, physicians, and allied health providers, this course equips learners with actionable strategies to improve patient safety, foster trust, and deliver effective suicide prevention and treatment.