PDT-SocWk-11 - Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicide: Assessment and Intervention

Course Description

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults, the tenth leading cause of death nationwide, and is the most preventable cause of death among adults.

Non-suicidal self-injury has increased dramatically in recent years among adolescents and young adults and is a significant risk factor for one or more serious suicide attempts.

This workshop will provide you with an overview of the major patterns and types of non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behavior. Bio-psychosocial risk factors that increase the probability of non-suicidal self-harm and suicidal actions, as well as protective factors which serve to reduce the likelihood of non-suicidal self-harm and suicidal behavior, will be reviewed.

Neuropsychiatric conditions in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5” (DSM-5), (American Psychiatric Association), that are associated with elevated rates of suicidal behavior, will be discussed.

Learn best practices for evaluation of suicidal and non-suicidal self-injury including history taking, assessment of mental status, interviewing strategies, and psychological screening tests. The role of Emergency Services Departments within community mental health centers in New Hampshire, and other interventions for persons considered to be at elevated risk for self-harm will be clarified.

If time permits, discussion will also include circumstances which can trigger ethics complaints to licensing boards and/or malpractice suits against mental health clinicians in cases of attempted or completed suicide. Risk management strategies to address these outcomes will be outlined.

6.0 Category A Continuing Education hours for licensure have been applied for through NASW-NH.

Accrediting Associations

• NASW NH Chapter Approval Number 3455 6.0 Cat. A CE Credits in Suicide Prevention

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Coaching Children & Teens : Electives