Continuing & Professional Studies, Palo Alto University

This self-paced training program on Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention for a Diverse Population is presented by Bruce Bonger, PhD, ABPP; Joyce Chu, PhD; Peter Goldblum, PhD, MPH and Christoper Weaver, PhD

Though almost all mental health professionals encounter suicide risk within their practices, formal training on suicide risk assessment and intervention is sparse. This training focuses on the current gold standards for practice in suicide management. A usable framework and accessible guidelines will ensure that participants are able to competently manage suicide risk in their practice, incorporating the latest standards in suicide science. Course content includes skills in conceptualizing dynamic versus static suicide risk factors, legal and ethical considerations, documentation, and other considerations.

While most health and behavioral health professionals have been trained to manage suicide with similar strategies and guidelines regardless of cultural identity or background, studies have long shown that suicide looks and develops differently in LGBTQ and ethnic minority groups. Through this training, participants will also learn how to incorporate cultural considerations and manage suicide in culturally diverse populations. This training provides a foundational understanding of how suicide differs across cultural groups and covers advances in the culturally competent assessment and management of suicide. Participants will learn state-of-science theoretical, measurement, and applied research, as practical approaches to assist clinicians in accounting for cultural influences on suicide risk among diverse populations. The course utilizes didactic presentation infused with clinical discussion and case practice.