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Understanding, Managing, and Treating Suicidal Behavior
Thursday, February 02, 2023, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT
Category: CE Events: Adult Individuals

The field of suicide prevention is evolving with important new empirically supported theories and interventions. This workshop will review major recent innovations including: Theories to explain suicide; Safety plans to assist individuals in managing suicide urges; Treatments to resolve or at least neutralize suicidality. At the outset, Joiner’s Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance (ASAD; 2015) will be discussed. The ASAD identifies four key dimensions which have been empirically validated to predict imminent risk of suicide. The ASAD will be explicated in detail with illustrative case examples. Next, Stanley and Brown’s important Safety Plan will be discussed (Brown, 2015). This empirically supported method for dealing with suicide thoughts and urges is the best currently available. The phone app version will also be addressed. This part of the discussion will also review accommodations related to the pandemic and social isolation. The presentation will move to discussing more long-term trajectories for suicidality. Joiner’s “Interpersonal Theory of Suicide,” (ITP) will be emphasized (Joiner, 2005, Chu, 2017). The theory identifies: 1) acquired fearlessness, 2) perceived burdensomeness, and 3) thwarted belongingness as the three necessary and sufficient conditions for a suicide to occur. Joiner’s ITP is arguably the most influential, empirically validated theory of suicide in the world. In addition, Klonsky’s Three Step Theory of Suicide (2015; 2021) will be explicated. This empirically supported theory includes useful enhancements to Joiner’s Interpersonal Theory. This workshop will also review Jobes’ Collaboration Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS; 2016). This evidence-based approach will be discussed with an emphasis on Jobes’ pragmatic guidelines including the use of crisis response plans, coping cards, and survival kits. Finally, the workshop will conclude with a focus on what it takes for caregivers to “sit with misery,” and the self-care required to do so.

Hosted by The Bridge Training Institute, A Program of Open Sky Community Services online for 3 CEs. For more info, visit www.thebridgetraininginstitute.org.