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Suicide Prevention Training
CEU TRAINING: SUICIDE PREVENTION & ASSESSMENT
DATE CREATED: 10-24-2018
DATE UPDATED: 06-24-2022
TIME: 2 Hours (self study of presentation)
EDITOR: Shaun Lotter MA, LPC #200631338
SOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
National Institute of Mental Health
NLT Study Bible (2nd ed.). (2008). Carol Stream, Ill.: Tyndale House.
DESCRIPTION:
The training is targeted at assisting mental and behavioral health professionals in growing in their understanding and counseling of Christian clients. In the course, clinicians will be educated in suicide assessment, referral, treatment, and management training & preventing suicide in clients. Therapists will integrate clinical skills and address ethical issues/obligations as licensed clinicians.
OUTLINE:
- Suicide Assessment
- Definition of Suicide Terms
- Risk Factors (including diagnosing mental illness)
- Warning Signs
- MCO Suicide Assessment (includes consultation with peers/supervisor & referral to emergency services)
- Suicide Treatment
- Suicide Preventative Factors
Suicide Assessment
In an effort to provide adequate care to clients considering suicidal behaviors, MCO is providing the following training. It is aimed at effectively navigating sessions where such thoughts and behaviors are presented. We have selected well-known, credible resources to assist us in shaping our assessment and intervention. These sources include The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, National Institute of Mental Health, and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
Definition of Suicide Terms
Self-directed violence (analogous to self-injurious behavior): Behavior that is self-directed and deliberately results in injury or the potential for injury to oneself. This does not include behaviors such as parachuting, gambling, substance abuse, tobacco use or other risk-taking activities, such as excessive speeding in motor vehicles. These are complex behaviors some of which are risk factors for SDV but are defined as behavior that while likely to be life-threatening is not recognized by the individual as behavior intended to destroy or injure the self. These behaviors may have a high probability of injury or death as an outcome, but the injury or death is usually considered unintentional.
Self-directed violence is categorized into the following:
- Non-suicidal (as defined below)
- Suicidal (as defined below)
Non-suicidal self-directed violence: Behavior that is self-directed and deliberately results in injury or the potential for injury to oneself. There is no evidence, whether implicit or explicit, of suicidal intent.
Suicidal self-directed violence: Behavior that is self-directed and deliberately results in injury or the potential for injury to oneself. There is evidence, whether implicit or explicit, of suicidal intent.
Undetermined self-directed violence: Behavior that is self-directed and deliberately results in injury or the potential for injury to oneself. Suicidal intent is unclear based on the available evidence.
Suicide attempt: A non-fatal self-directed potentially injurious behavior with any intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt may or may not result in injury.
Interrupted self-directed violence – by self or by other by other: A person takes steps to injure self but is stopped by another person prior to a fatal injury. The interruption can occur at any point during the act such as after the initial thought or after the onset of behavior. By self (in other documents may be termed “aborted” suicidal behavior) – A person takes steps to injure self but is stopped by self prior to a fatal injury.
Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Risk Factors for Suicide
Suicide does not discriminate. People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities can be at risk. Suicidal behavior is complex and there is no single cause. In fact, many different factors contribute to someone making a suicide attempt. But people most at risk tend to share certain characteristics. The main risk factors for suicide are:
- Depression, other mental disorders, or substance abuse disorder
- Certain medical conditions
- Chronic pain
- A prior suicide attempt
- Family history of a mental disorder or substance abuse
- Family history of suicide
- Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
- Having guns or other firearms in the home
- Having recently been released from prison or jail
- Being exposed to others’ suicidal behavior, such as that of family members, peers, or celebrities
- Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
- Cultural and religious beliefs (e.g., belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma)
- Local epidemics of suicide
- Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people
- Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)
- Easy access to lethal methods
- Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders or to suicidal thoughts
Many people have some of these risk factors but do not attempt suicide. It is important to note that suicide is not a normal response to stress. Suicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress, not a harmless bid for attention, and should not be ignored.
Do gender and age affect suicide risk?
Men are more likely to die by suicide than women, but women are more likely to attempt suicide. Men are more likely to use deadlier methods, such as firearms or suffocation. Women are more likely than men to attempt suicide by poisoning. The most recent figures released by the CDC show that the highest rate of suicide deaths among women is found between ages 45 and 64, while the highest rate for men occurs at ages 75+. Children and young adults also are at risk for suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 34.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Warning Signs
The behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide.
- Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
- Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
- Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
- Talking about great guilt or shame
- Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
- Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Using alcohol or drugs more often
- Acting anxious or agitated
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Changing eating and/or sleeping habits
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
- Talking or thinking about death often
- Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
- Giving away important possessions
- Saying goodbye to friends and family
- Putting affairs in order, making a will
Source: National Institute of Mental Health
MCO’s Suicide Assessment & Management Guide
Therapists can familiarize the following guide in the assessment and management of suicidal ideation/behaviors in clients. This assessment includes peer/supervisory consultation and referral to emergency services.
CLICK HERE for MCO’s Suicide Assessment & Management Guide
Suicide Treatment
Therapists should study both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) materials on suicide assessment & treatment. Please use the links below to review each agency’s guide.
Protective Factors for Suicide
Protective factors buffer individuals from suicidal thoughts and behavior. To date, protective factors have not been studied as extensively or rigorously as risk factors. Identifying and understanding protective factors are, however, equally as important as researching risk factors.
Protective Factors
- Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders
- Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions and support for help-seeking
- Family and community support (connectedness)
- Support from ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
- Skills in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent ways of handling disputes
- Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support instincts for self-preservation
Source: Centers for Disease Control & Management
CEU Completion Form
Fill out the form below and be sure to put in the correct title of this training and the date you completed it. The generated form will be your documentation of completion of this training.