Working with Suicidality and Self-Harm in Youth:
Risk Assessment, Case Management & Prevention Strategies
Course Date: Refer to Calendar page.
Normal Fee: $580. Funding details available at the Funding page.
‘The reasons for suicides are often complex and multi-dimensional. Each suicide is one too many.’
– Minister for Health, Nominated Member of Parliament Ms. Kuik Shiao-Yin, 2016
Course Overview
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29 year olds globally, and the rates of young people attempting and completing suicide & self-harm are steadily increasing over time. Mental health professionals & educators who work with youth often find themselves in challenging situations with few resources and little knowledge and training in the area of suicide and self-harm risk assessment, management, treatment, and prevention. They often feel isolated and uncertain when conducting assessments, and may be unaware of the organizational, legal, and ethical requirements associated with at-risk youth.
This workshop is particularly relevant for mental health professionals and educators responsible to formulate a strategy to handle suicide and self-harm cases. Three major areas are discussed. Part A describes how to conduct preliminary suicide and self-harm risk assessments. Part B highlights the legal and ethical boundaries that the participant must adhere to. Part C focuses on the broader picture – strategies for suicide & self-harm prevention, setting policies and procedures for the organization, and management of those impacted by the at-risk youths such as family members and other at-risk individuals belonging to the same cluster.
The practical workshop is offered in a multi-modal format including immersive and experiential training via role-play, case studies, peer activities, and observation in addition to traditional teaching strategies.
Whilst the ‘Working with Suicidality and Self-Harm in Youth: Practical Intervention Strategies and Treatments’ workshop teaches specific intervention techniques and skills that are effective in working with young people who have been deemed to have medium to high risk of suicide and/or self-harming behaviors, this workshop helps participants formulate strategies to handle suicide and self-harm cases.
About the Workshop Facilitator
Ms Leeran Gold is an Australian-registered psychologist who specializes in working with high-risk and high-need youth and adults in her clinical and forensic practice. She conducts comprehensive suicide and self-harm risk assessments and guides families, educators, and other mental health professionals on risk management and reduction in the home and school environment.
Leeran is a well-regarded speaker who has conducted workshops for the Ministry of Education, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Psychological Society, Singapore Psychological Therapists Group, and EAP Services. She has been invited to present at multiple international conferences in 2018, including the International School Counselors Association Annual Conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
Leeran has previously held adjunct teaching positions at Bond University, and was the first Australian to be selected as International Visiting Researcher for the Ministry of Home Affairs Behavioral Sciences Center in Singapore. She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Asia-Pacific Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (APATAP), and the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services (IAFMHS).
Target Audience
This workshop is specially designed to be suitable for all following participants regardless whether or not they have formal training in psychology/counselling/social work, and understanding of adolescent development:
- Social Workers, Counsellors and Psychologists working in VWOs
- Medical Social Workers working in hospitals and medical institutions
- School Personnel, such as Principals and Vice-Principals, HOD Pupil Welfare, HOD Discipline and School Counsellors
- Psychologists and Counsellors in private practice
- School Counsellors
Duration
1 day (9 am - 5 pm).
Workshop Topics:
Part A: Categorisation and Assessment of At-Risk Youth
- Youth suicide and self-harm, causes and risk factors: a cross-disciplinary and cross-theoretical perspective
- Systemic therapy approach
- Cognitive-behavioural approach
- Development theory approach, etc
- Identifying and engaging with at-risk youth
- Rapid rapport building technique
- How to conduct preliminary suicide and self-harm risk assessments
- Identifying risk categories
Part B: Case Management
- Legal and ethical issues related to suicide and self-harm
- Duty of care
- Record-keeping
- Dealing with disclosures
- Adopting a therapeutic response
- Managing confidentiality
- When to refer on to appropriate agencies
Part C: Suicide and Self-Harm: An Organisational Perspective
- Setting policies and procedures for non-acute cases for your organization
- SOPs for different staff, eg counseling staff
- Managing the impact of suicide & self-harm in the community
- Who will be affected? What will the impact be?
- How to manage other at-risk individuals belonging to the same cluster
- Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention Strategies
- Building resiliency in at-risk individuals
- Education
- Early prevention
- Reducing stigma
Click here for funding details. Terms and Conditions apply.