Addressing Suicidal Ideation in Marginalized Communities – Case Studies

Participants will have an opportunity to apply trauma-informed practices to engage diverse clients with suicidal ideation. After a brief review of information on suicidal ideation, most of the session will be discussion based and the larger group will be split into breakout rooms to review specific cases that focus on different marginalized groups. The facilitator will rotate between the smaller groups as well as facilitate further discussion as a larger group. 

The cases will include:

• First generation Canadian woman, age 18 daughter of Muslim parents who immigrated from Pakistan just before she was born.
• A 14-year-old boy who has ASD and has above average IQ and is verbal, living at home with his parents and younger sister.
• A 67-year-old Indigenous woman, survivor of residential schools.
• A non-binary 18-year-old person who has just decided to start hormone treatment for gender affirming care. 

Case studies and resources will be pulled from a wide range of research on suicidal ideation in marginalized groups. 

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop confidence in interactions with individuals who engage in suicidal ideation and high-risk behaviour.
2. Practice a model that can be incorporated in your work with those you support.
3. Consider the nuances of how assessments and interventions may be different depending on the lens in which the client is coming from.
4. Identify personal barriers to engaging with individuals presenting with suicidal ideation and high-risk behaviours.
5. Apply trauma-informed practices to engage with clients with suicidal ideation and high-risk behaviours.
6. Analyze suicidal ideation from a broader perspective, utilizing trauma-informed strategies and be sensitive to how intersectionality plays into interactions with others.