Advancing Suicide Prevention Through Telehealth and Policy Development is a two-hour continuing education activity designed for licensed doctoral- and master’s-level mental health professionals. The course provides a structured, evidence-informed review of suicide prevention practices within contemporary behavioral health, with emphasis on telehealth delivery and policy-related access considerations for rural and underserved populations.
Content is grounded in established psychological theory and contemporary peer-reviewed scientific literature, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, epidemiological research, and psychometric studies. Instruction focuses on structured suicide risk assessments (including C-SSRS, PHQ-9 Item 9, and CAMS), collaborative safety planning, measurement-based care, telehealth-adapted crisis procedures, and trauma-informed, culturally responsive clinical strategies.
Empirically supported suicide risk and protective factors are reviewed across diverse populations. The course addresses the limitations of suicide risk prediction science and emphasizes probabilistic, formulation-based assessment rather than deterministic risk classification. Participants examine psychometric properties and known limitations of screening tools and are instructed that structured instruments inform—but do not replace—clinical judgment.
The Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) and ideation-to-action frameworks are presented as empirically supported conceptual models, and their proposed mechanisms—including perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability—are evaluated considering current research.
Telehealth-specific risks (e.g., technology failure, reduced behavioral observation, jurisdictional differences) and mitigation strategies are reviewed within established ethical and regulatory frameworks, including HIPAA compliance, duty-to-protect obligations, documentation standards, and scope-of-competence considerations.
The program evaluates the strength and limitations of empirical evidence, differentiates correlational findings from clinically actionable recommendations, addresses risks associated with both under- and over-intervention, and does not promote proprietary, experimental, or non-evidence-based methods.
By the end of this 2-hour educational program, participants will be able to:
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Differentiate suicide risk indicators by identifying at least five suicide risk factors, three protective factors, and three warning signs across diverse populations, including groups experiencing heightened risk due to structural and social determinants.
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Administer and interpret at least two evidence-based suicide risk assessment approaches/tools (e.g., C-SSRS, PHQ-9, CAMS) and formulate an initial risk determination using case-based or applied telehealth scenarios, consistent with ethical practice guidelines.
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Apply at least three ethical, legal, and policy standards relevant to suicide prevention in telehealth (e.g., HIPAA/privacy and documentation requirements, duty to protect/warn, telehealth safety/emergency protocols) when evaluating and managing suicide risk.
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Integrate at least two culturally responsive strategies and at least two trauma-informed strategies into suicide prevention care (assessment, safety planning, treatment planning, or crisis response) to strengthen client safety, engagement, and clinical outcomes.
