Suicide Prevention Working as a BHT in the US Military

13 February 2025

A Live, Interactive Webinar

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. Develop appropriate responses to patient disclosures about suicide risk.
2. Use appropriate tools and processes to conduct a basic suicide risk assessment and stratification.
3. Develop an effective safety plan with a patient.
4. Apply the 4-Step Lethal Means Safety Counseling (LMSC) process when working with a patient.
5. Promote coping skills acquired during the course of treatment for Suicidal ideation.

Target Audience: Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs) working with Service members

Instructional Content Level: Intermediate

Agenda:

Day One

Course Completion Requirements: Participants are required to attend the entire training. Partial credits cannot be issued. Attendance is taken through the use of electronic logs, and a post-training evaluation form must be completed.

Participate:

Online Platform: Zoom

Date: 13 February  2025

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Registration Information: https://deploymentpsych.org/training

Registration Deadline: Registration will close one week prior to the start date or when training capacity is met.

Cancellations/Questions: Please contact brandon.carpenter.ctr@usuhs.edu if you have any questions or need to cancel your registration.