OVERALL DESCRIPTION

There's little more terrifying to a therapist then the thought of patient suicide.  The alarming reality is that any therapist involved in direct patient care is likely to have this experience.  For psychologists, the chance is greater than 1 in 5 of losing a patient to suicide during his or her professional career.  For the average psychiarist, the odds are greater than 50/50.

But while death by suicide is old as mankind, the study of suicide prevention is a fairly recent phenomenon.  Our speakers in this program are in the forefront of study of the two age groups at highest risk statistically, adolescents and the elderly.

Plus we tackle the topic of manipulative suicide threats.  How do we know when the patient is serious?  Fortunately, there is a knowledge base about this, about suicide, its causes; its risk factors and prevention.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.  Be able to recognize the role of depression as a cause of adolescent suicide.

2.  Understand the role of relationships of the adolescent and the elderly as a factor in assessing and preventing adolescent and elderly suicide.

3.  Translate these understandings into practical treatment considerations.

4.  Recognize some of the pros and cons about euthanasia.

5.  Learn to elicit suicide ideation, behavior, and plans.

6.  Be able to make a clinical judgment of the risk that a client will attempt or complete suicide in the short and long term.

CURRICULUM SUMMARY

Interview #1

Rick Ostander, Ph.D.       "Adolescent Suicide

What we have learned about suicide in childhood and adolescence is not to dismiss such talks as foolish or fleeting notions, manipulative scare tactics or exaggerations born of immaturity.  Psychotherapists who study suicidal behavior in young people have uncovered many clues that can help mental health professionals take appropriate actions to prevent a suicide.

Interview #2

Nancy Osgood, Ph.D.      "Elderly Suicide"

In this interview, we look at current knowledge about suicidal behavior in the elderly and translate this knowledge for you into practical treatment considerations.

Interview #3

Robert Yufit, Ph.D.      "Manipulative Suicide Threats"

Suicide and death pose significant challenges for loved one and survivors.  In this interview, we cover both topics:  the first because assessing suicide talk is one of the most anxiety-ridden tasks of the psychotherapist.  We can't afford to be wrong.  And second, because intense grief is so overwhelming to the bereaved and hence to the therapist as well.