Suicide: Prevention, Screening and Response Training for the General Public

Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 8:00a.m. - 11:00a.m.

Every 11 minutes, someone in the United States dies by suicide. Suicide is a preventable public health problem and prevention depends in large part on appropriate screening and response. The clinicians at Bradley Hospital designed a training program, specifically for individuals who do not have a background in behavioral health. Suicide: Prevention, Screening and Response is a 3-hour class offered to anyone in the community who may wish to learn more about suicide prevention. Educators, public safety personnel, family members, health care workers, faith leaders, transportation workers, food service employees, community members, in fact, anyone who interacts with children or adults will benefit.

Upon completion of this program, participants learn to administer the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale-Screen Version (C-SSRS Screener) and learn how to respond appropriately to the needs of the individual being screened based on the results. The C-SSRS Screener is an evidence-based tool, consisting of a maximum of 6 questions, designed to be used by those without specialized training in suicide assessment.  Participants also review current Rhode Island and national statistics on suicide, and learn risk factors, warning signs, and myths and facts. Local resources will also be presented.

Participants have the opportunity to practice using the C-SSRS Screener in a safe, supportive environment through the use of video demonstrations, case studies and role plays.

Any member of the community can register to take the course.

Bradley Conference is designed to provide education for psychologists, social workers, physicians, nurses, certified counselors, speech/language and occupational therapists, teachers, milieu associates, and other professionals who work with children, adolescents or adults.  Topics address different behavioral health populations and treatment modalities and are intended to provide practical, state-of-the-art information.

Bradley Hospital’s clinical expertise, internationally renowned research, and academic affiliation with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University make the hospital a unique resource in all areas of behavioral health care.  We have designed a wide range of learning experiences to provide the training that behavioral health care professionals need to stay at the forefront of their fields.

Speakers

Scott Sylvester LMHC

Scott Sylvester, LMHC holds a master of arts in clinical psychology from Bridgewater State University. He has been serving as the behavioral education development specialist supervisor at Bradley Hospital since 2013. He has experience working with children, adolescents and adults with developmental and psychiatric disabilities. Sylvester has worked in various behavioral health settings with extensive experience conducting psychiatric assessments in both the community and emergency room settings. Sylvester has been working within the field of behavioral health for 19 years and training staff in the art of de-escalation and crisis management for seven years.

 

 

Kimberly Lafountain

Kimberly Lafountain, LMHC has over 20 years experience in the field of behavioral health. She holds a master of education in guidance and counseling from Providence College and a bachelor of science in health and physical education from the University of Maine. 

Lafountain is currently employed as a behavioral education development specialist in the Department of Behavioral Education at Bradly Hospital. She works as part of a team that develops and provides competency based education, evidence-based practices and continuing education and training programs within Lifespan, regionally and nationally.

Previously, she worked as a clinician in a community based program designed to keep children and adolescents in home placement. The majority of her career was spent providing outpatient counseling, specializing in sexual abuse specific treatment and juvenile offender treatment. Prior to joining the Department of Behavioral Education, Lafountain was a trainer for Gateway Healthcare.  

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to:

  1. Identify five risk factors of suicide.
  2. Identify five protective factors for someone at risk for suicide.
  3. Identify three common myths associated with suicide.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of how to effectively administer the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale – Screen Version.

Details

  • Target audience:  Individuals who interact with children, adolescents, adults.
  • Instructional level: Beginner.  

Registration

  • Program fee: No cost, grant-funded.
  • Online registration closes on Wednesday, October 25 for all October courses and Wednesday, November 8 for all November courses. 
  • For refund/cancellation information please email [email protected] or call Elizabeth DeFreitas at 401-606-5753.
  • Participants will receive their link and materials two days before the virtual training.

Register online  

Location Information

Trainings will take place via Zoom

Additional Dates & Times

October 28, 2021: 8:00am - 11:00am
October 28, 2021: 12:30pm - 3:30pm