Suicide Assessment and Prevention in Early Psychosis
Resource Availability
This course material was originally created by SMI Adviser, now rebranded as SMI CalAdviser. The content in this course material is still current and relevant, yet, please be aware that some external resources and links may no longer be active or available. 
Overview

Until recently, the mental health field has lacked clearly defined categories of suicidal ideation and behavior. But, with impetus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more systematic measurement processes are available (e.g., C-SSRS). These tools permit different users to work from a shared set of definitions and classification system. Gaps in providers' knowledge, barriers of limited time for clinical visits, provider discomfort dealing with children's mental/behavioral health problems, limited awareness of community resources, and the absence of a uniform, easily accessed process for assessment and documentation contribute to the need for additional training. Moreover, given the increased risk for suicide ideation and behavior in early psychosis population, target treatment on suicide risk management for this population is critical. Participants will develop the skills to administer and interpret an evidence-based risk assessment tool, the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Further, participants will receive training in the Safety Plan Intervention (SPI), an evidence-based approach for managing suicide risk in an outpatient setting. The Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) supports collaboration between the clinician and person with suicidal thoughts to determine cognitive and behavioral strategies to use during suicidal crises. The SPI results in development of a one-page document to use when a suicidal crisis is emerging and can be revised repeatedly over the course of care.  

This SMI Adviser/APA activity was developed with assistance from the Psychosis-Risk and Early Psychosis Program Network (PEPPNET). 

Format 

Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity with post-test.  

This presentation was recorded on February 25, 2021. 

Learning Objectives  

Assess suicide risk through conducting the Columbia Suicide Severity rating Scale (C-SSRS). 

Identify at least 5 risk and protective factors related to suicidal ideation and behaviors.  

Conduct a Safety Planning Intervention (SPI)-- an evidence-based approach to managing suicide risk. 

Outline 

  • Introduction & Learning Objectives 
  • Suicide Risk: General Statistics 
  • Suicide Risk in Mental Health & Early Psychosis 
  • Challenges in Suicide Assessment 
  • Key Principles of Risk Assessment 
  • Types of Risk Factors 
  • Special Considerations 
  • Protective Factors 
  • Suicide Risk Assessment Tools 
  • Intervention Strategies 
  • Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) 
  • Additional Interventions 
  • Resources & Training 

Target Audience 

Psychiatrist, Physician (Non-Psychiatric), Physician Assistant, Psychologist, Peer Specialist 

Instruction Level 

Intermediate  

Estimated Time to Complete  

Estimated Duration: 1.0 hour 
Program Start Date: July 30, 2025 
Program End Date: July 30, 2028  

Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board  

After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through the Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.  

How to Earn Credit 

After completing the evaluation, participants will have the opportunity to claim their hours of participation and download the appropriate certificate. Physicians may obtain an official CME certificate, other healthcare professionals may receive a CE certificate (as applicable), and all other attendees may generate a certificate of participation. Each certificate will reflect the event date and total hours earned. 

Continuing Education Credit 

In support of improving patient care, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  

Physicians   

The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.   

Psychologists   

Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.  

Faculty and Planner Disclosures 

The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity - including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others - are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.  

Faculty  

Tara Niendam, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Psychiatry at the University of California, Davis. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. As the Executive Director of the UC Davis Early Psychosis Programs (EDAPT and SacEDAPT Clinics), Dr. Niendam supervises clinic and training activities, and coordinates outreach and educational presentations within Sacramento and across California. She has developed 4 early psychosis programs in Northern California based on the coordinated specialty care model of early psychosis. Overall, her research focuses on improving clinical and functional outcomes for youth with serious mental illness across four key themes: 1) Elucidating factors that contribute to real world functioning and clinical outcome across psychiatric disorders, 2) Evaluating the impact of interventions on outcomes in psychosis, 3) Developing technology-enhanced methods to improve identification and enhance treatment, and 4) Dissemination of best practices for early psychosis care. Through her research and clinical experience, Dr. Niendam has developed expertise in the assessment of suicide risk and implementation of evidence-based practices to address such risk in early psychosis populations. Disclosure - Other: Founder/Board Member, Safari Health Inc.   

Program Planners 

  • Teri Brister, PhD, LPC, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.  
  • Amy N. Cohen, PhD, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.  
  • Tristan Gorrindo, MD, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.  

Reviewers 

  • Teri Brister, PhD, LPC, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. (Reviewed on 1/9/2024)  
  • John Torous, MD, MBI, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. (Reviewed on 1/9/2024)  
  • Amy N. Cohen, PhD, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. (Reviewed on 12/21/2023)  

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities 

The American Psychiatric Association 

n is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance. 

Technical Requirements 

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following: 

The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari 

Internet Explorer 11+ 

This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player. 

Optimal System Configuration: 

Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version) 

Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version) 

Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher 

Minimum Requirements: 

Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content 

Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content 

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity |  

Contact support@smicaladviser.org for technical assistance

Summary
Availability:
On-Demand
Expires on Jul 30, 2028
Credit Offered:
1 CME Credit
1 Psychology CE Credit
1 COP Credit
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