Suicide Assessment Through a Correctional Lens
Date & Time
February 6, 2023
9:00am - 4:15pm
Location
Virtual
February 6, 2023
9:00am - 4:15pm
Location
Virtual
Summary
This Suicide Assessment training is designed for those working in forensic mental health settings such as jails, prisons, probation or parole agencies or those providing services to forensic clients. The trainers have expertise in both mental health and correctional settings and can provide a unique understanding of working with this population.
Suicide risk is elevated for individuals in the criminal justice system – both by the individual’s predisposing factors but also by the nature of the setting. Risk assessments in criminal justice settings include both screening and full-blown evaluations. Treatment of suicidal patients is difficult in correctional settings and with those who continue to have mental health problems after release, when rates of death and self-harm increase exponentially.
This training will review the basics of risk assessment, the differences between a screening assessment and full evaluation, and several methods to come to a judgment of risk. Differences in approach between in-custody settings and post-release supervision will be highlighted.
Drawing from the research literature on the treatment of suicidal individuals, the trainers will present an introduction to safety/treatment planning for suicidal individuals including chain analysis of suicidal ideation, lethal means counseling, safety planning interventions and empirically-based treatments.
Suicide risk is elevated for individuals in the criminal justice system – both by the individual’s predisposing factors but also by the nature of the setting. Risk assessments in criminal justice settings include both screening and full-blown evaluations. Treatment of suicidal patients is difficult in correctional settings and with those who continue to have mental health problems after release, when rates of death and self-harm increase exponentially.
This training will review the basics of risk assessment, the differences between a screening assessment and full evaluation, and several methods to come to a judgment of risk. Differences in approach between in-custody settings and post-release supervision will be highlighted.
Drawing from the research literature on the treatment of suicidal individuals, the trainers will present an introduction to safety/treatment planning for suicidal individuals including chain analysis of suicidal ideation, lethal means counseling, safety planning interventions and empirically-based treatments.
Presented By
ROBERT CANNING, PHD
Robert Canning is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked in or consulted with correctional systems for over twenty years. From 2005 to 2015 he was the statewide suicide prevention coordinator for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He has been a consultant on jail suicide risk assessment and policies to Alameda, Los Angeles, Marin, Yolo Counties. He has taught the principles of suicide risk assessment to mental health clinicians in the community for 15 years as a trainer for the American Association of Suicidology. In addition to the state prison system, his clinical positions have included the VA Northern California Health Care System and the UC Davis Medical Center. |
MARY BUTLER, MFT
Mary Butler is a retired Marriage Family Therapist. She began her career at Napa County Health and Human Services in the 24-hour crisis unit. During her 20 years with the department, she moved from mental health and child welfare in various positions including case manager, supervisor, CONREP program manager and manager overseeing child welfare services and mental health. She was asked by the Superior Court to take on the assignment of Chief Probation Officer a role she held for 17 years until her retirement in 2020. |
Learning Objectives
- Describe how to conduct a risk assessment with forensic clients in correctional or community settings
- Differentiate between chronic and acute risk factors for suicide
- Identify the eight principles of evidence-based practice in working with forensic clients
- Differentiate between the variety of special considerations of evaluating risk and completing a treatment plan options
- Describe four major components of a suicide risk assessment
CE Credit |
Intended Audience |
Experience Level |
6 CE Available for CPA, BBS, BRN
Additional Continuing Education Information |
This training is intended for mental health clinicians.
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This training is appropriate for all level clinicians.
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