The Center for Deployment Psychology (CDP) is offering a one day workshop on Suicide Prevention Working as a BHT in the US Military. The workshop will be held online via Zoom, 11 March 2025, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. Space in this event is limited and registration will close when capacity is reached, even if this is before the final registration deadline. 

Please note: This event is intended for Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs) and a .mil email address is required to register.

Registration for the course is free. 

To access the course, on the day of the event, log into your account here: https://deploymentpsych.ce21.com/Account/MyAccount and click on the green "Launch Webinar" button.

Description:
This intensive one day module provides training in the assessment and management of suicide ideation and behavior. The module is designed for Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs) working with service members who are seeking training in empirically supported treatment options they can immediately incorporate into their clinical practice. The theoretical underpinnings of suicide ideation and behavior are presented.

Participants will be introduced to the Self-Directed Violence Classification System (SDVCS), a nomenclature supported by the DoD/VA for self-directed violence and suicidal behavior. Population-based risk and protective factors will be reviewed. Next, basic elements of suicide risk screening and assessment will be introduced. Participants will learn a number of crisis intervention strategies for working with suicidal patients. Participants will receive in-depth training in the assessment and management of suicidal patients and will have the opportunity to practice skills.. Video demonstrations and participant role-plays will be used in class to practice key assessment and intervention techniques. The training will provide hands-on practice activities and is geared toward an actively involved audience through discussion and workshop activities.

Participants are expected to actively engage in workshop activities and attend the full day of training.

Learning objectives:

1. Distinguish suicidal and non-suicidal thoughts and behaviors using the Self-Directed Violence Classification System
2. Apply the 3-step theory of suicide to the process of clinical conceptualization and treatment planning.
3. Integrate Fluid Vulnerability Theory and the Risk Stratification Tool into the process for developing a suicide risk determination.
4. Design a safety plan in collaboration with a patient.
5. Use means safety counseling in patient interactions to improve clinical outcomes.
6. Propose strategies for mitigating the heightened risk for suicide during life transitions (i.e., inpatient to outpatient care, military to veteran status).

System Requirements: This course will be presented via Zoom teleconferencing software. Participants will not have to install any additional programs on their computer to take part. However, a web browser is necessary. (Mac users are recommended to use the Chrome or Firefox browsers to minimize tech issues). Participants can test their computer's capabilities by clicking here (or visiting http://zoom.us/test). We recommend all participants test their ability to load Zoom in advance of the event to ensure there are no technical difficulties. All participants must log in via an individual connection, rather than as a group using one machine. A headset/headphones are recommended.

Continuing Education Details:
This event does not include any Continuing Education credits for participants.

For any questions, including technical issues, please contact Brandon Carpenter (brandon.carpenter.ctr@usuhs.edu) or Chris Adams (christopher.adams.ctr@usuhs.edu).