Suicide Risk Assessment, Prevention, and Intervention

---

How to Take This Course:

• 1 View Course Worksheet -  View the course worksheet or print it out to review later
• 2 Read the Course Material -  As you read through, mark your answers on the course worksheet to be prepared for the exam
• 3 Take Exam -  You must achieve a score of 75% or higher in order to earn credit for the course.
• You don't need to pay for an exam until AFTER you pass it. If you have any questions or need more information, please click here.

---

CE Course Description

Suicide is a critical public health issue in the United States, with nearly half a million individuals visiting emergency rooms each year following a suicide attempt. Research shows that nearly one in seven young adults report experiencing suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives, and at least 5% have attempted suicide. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of suicide prevention, assessment, intervention, and safety planning. It will cover evidence-based risk assessment tools and crisis response strategies, which are essential components of effective and ethical social work practice. In this course, learners will explore practical techniques for identifying and responding to suicide risk. The material is designed to strengthen confidence and competence when navigating crisis situations.

Author: Kimberley Fortin, LCSW-R

CE Course Objectives

1. Discover different suicide risk assessments and best practices when identifying risk and protective factors in suicide.
2. Identify at least five high-risk suicide warning signs and five protective factors during suicide prevention.
3. Explain at least two evidence-based treatment and support services.

CE Course Outline

1. Introduction – 5 minutes
2. Section 1: Myths and Facts – 5 minutes
3. Section 2: Terminology – 6 minutes
4. Section 3: Prevalence– 10 minutes
   1. More about Firearms – 6 minutes
5. Section 4: Suicide Prevention– 8 minutes
   1. United States Efforts to Prevent Suicide – 8 minutes
   2. Social-Ecological Model – 8 minutes
   3. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) – 5 minutes
   4. Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences – 4 minutes
   5. Positive Childhood Experiences – 3 minutes
6. Section 5: Suicide Risk– 8 minutes
   1. Zero Suicide – 8 minutes
   2. The Columbia Protocol – 6 minutes
   3. The ASQ – 6 minutes
7. Section 6: What is a suicide assessment?– 6 minutes
   1. Responding to Information About Suicide – 6 minutes
   2. Full Suicide Safety Assessment – 7 minutes
8. Section 7: Risk Stratification– 5 minutes
   1. Acute Risk – 4 minutes
   2. Chronic Risk – 4 minutes
9. Section 8: Interventions– 6 minutes
   1. Safety Plan – 5 minutes
   2. Psychotherapy – 7 minutes
10. Section 9: Ethical Dilemmas – 6 minutes
11. Section 10: Impact of a Suicide Loss– 6 minutes
    1. Suicide Loss of a Client – 7 minutes
12. Section 11: Workplace Suicide Prevention– 5 minutes
    1. Interactive Screening Program – 4 minutes
    2. Mental Health First Aid at Work – 4 minutes
13. Section 12: Summary – 5 minutes
14. References – 2 minutes 

Total Time: 180 minutes (3 hours)

Course Level: Intermediate

Course Date: 2025-05-14

Content License

Our courseware includes the text content found on our websites as well as video, audio, and exam questions that make up our courses. You can link to and access our courseware free of charge for personal use. You may not modify or redistribute our courseware under any circumstances.

Although we allow free access for personal use, you may not use our courseware for any commercial purposes without an agreement in place. This includes (but is not limited to) using our courseware for internal training, redistributing our courseware for sale, and copying all or parts of any of our courseware.

If you're interested in licensing our content for commercial purposes or have any other questions, please contact legal@edcompassedu.com.

Proprietary Interest Policy

We will disclose, in advance, any proprietary interest in any product, instrument, device, service, or material to be discussed during the learning event, as well as the source of any third-party compensation related to the presentation. This policy applies to both our organization and contractors. If such proprietary/financial interests exist, we will publish a disclaimer in marketing or instructional materials for a course.

No conflict of interest or relevant financial relationship was identified for this learning activity for individuals in a position to control content.

System Requirements

In order to view this course, you will need to be able to view a PDF document for the course material. If your device doesn't have the capability to view a PDF, you can click here to download Adobe Acrobat for free.

Special Needs

If you require ADA or other special needs accommodations, please contact us by email: support@mindfulceus.com or by phone 1-800-413-3797, so arrangements can be made.

‹ Return to Courses