Screening for Suicide Risk in Youth

REGISTER   RETURN TO PROGRAM CALENDAR

• Friday, June 21, 2024 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET
• Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET
• Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET
• Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET
• Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET

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Delivery: Synchronous Virtual Classroom via Zoom

As clinicians, competency in suicide risk assessments is essential, as one never knows when a patient or client might mention thoughts of suicide. What is already a nuanced and challenging topic to discuss with clients becomes even more complex when that client is a child. In this presentation, we will cover statistics and specific risk factors for suicide in young people, discuss the importance of building rapport, and explore different ways to utilize language in a child-friendly way to achieve more accurate risk assessments. Concerns related to legality and ethics, and those related to how and when to involve caregiver in these important discussions will also be covered.

As social workers, having the words and skills to assess suicide risk is of the utmost importance!

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to 1) Understand some of the unique challenges of working with children & teens around suicide risk; 2) Review their chosen suicide risk assessment tools/protocols and consider age-appropriate adjustments in question wording; and 3) Know when to consider legal and ethical guidelines around how and when to involve parents in the discussion when a child/teen discloses suicidal thoughts.

This program is appropriate for professionals who work with individuals in any setting where they might be serving kids and teens, including but not limited to: schools, hospitals, outpatient or inpatient treatment centers, crisis centers.

Instructor

Jessica Williams, M.S.S., L.C.S.W., C.T. is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Delaware and owner of Oak & Evergreen Therapy and Consultation, LLC. Jessica holds a Trauma Certificate from Bryn Mawr College as well as a Certificate in Thanatology from the Association for Death Education and Counseling. She is also a trained adult mental health screener though the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH).

Jessica enjoys working with clients who are experiencing grief and loss, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and those who belong to the LGBTQ+ and non-traditional relationship communities.