Confronting Suicidal Ideation and High-Risk Behaviour

Confronting Suicidal Ideation and High-Risk Behaviour has a particular focus on the human aspects of high-risk behavior seen from both the perspective of the client and the professional. This course addresses: research about suicidal ideation and high-risk behaviour, talking about suicide with clients and colleagues and suggestions for simple organizational shifts that could make for a more trauma-informed space for all. 

Additionally, it will explore suicide progression and practical strategies for identifying where an individual is in the progression, what is most helpful for each stage, as well as the difference between a mental health crisis and a mental health emergency. Suicide attempts and commonly used interventions (such as premature involuntary hospitalization) as forms of trauma will be taken into consideration. CBT-informed and DBT-informed practical strategies shape the takeaways for participants. 

Included in this training is guest speaker, Karyn Inder, Mental Health Advocate. She will speak about her lived experience within the mental health system. 

Key Messages: 

1. Suicide and high-risk behavior are communicators of unmet needs. 
2. Anyone can support someone who is feeling suicidal or engaging in high-risk behaviours. 
3. Being trauma-informed, non-judgmental, and using active listening are essential in client care. 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Recognize elements that influence tendency toward self-destructive behaviour and thought patterns. 
2. Implement strategies for calmly discussing and addressing suicidal ideation and high-risk behaviour with clients and other people supporting those clients in a trauma-informed, non-judgmental way. 
3. Work collaboratively with clients to set up trauma-informed plans for meeting the needs that are at the root of suicidal ideation and high-risk behaviours. 
4. Utilize the material to consider how you can create plans for yourself to receive support needed when working with individuals who present with high-risk behaviour. 
5. Engage in self-exploration to better understand personal strengths and barriers to supporting clients.