Overview

Content advisory note

This educational activity contains content on self-harm, suicide, trauma, and more. These subjects can be distressing and may evoke strong emotional responses. Please take care of your wellbeing and we encourage you to take breaks and/or seek support if needed. Please consider your environment when undertaking this activity, and ensure privacy at a level appropriate for the subject matter, be mindful when others may be in view of, or hearing distance from the webinar (e.g. family, co-workers, in public), and lock your screen when unattended.

In June 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that: 

• more than 700,000 people die due to suicide every year, 

• one in 100 deaths is by suicide, 

• for every completed suicide, there are many more suicide attempts, and 

• suicide is the fourth leading cause of death amongst 15-19 year olds. 

The purpose of this eLearning activity is to provide you with a comprehensive, sound foundation of learning that will leave you feeling more informed, better equipped, and compassionately enabled to effectively collaborate with and respond to individuals who are presenting with suicidality.

You will be supported in understanding suicidality, priority populations, assessing and formulating risk, and devising collaborative treatment plans with consideration given to ethical and legal issues in suicidality. Importantly, self-care is a core factor of this course, highlighting the need to engage in regular and ongoing self-care practices when working with suicidality and suicidal risk.

The activity was developed in consultation with an Expert Reference Group, consisting of Australian psychologists who are leaders in their field. Additionally, the training has been informed and enhanced by the insights and expertise provided through lived experience. 

*Note that some brief sections of the training contain content specific to psychologists (i.e., references to the Code of Ethics). Whilst the principles can be applied across professions, we advise you to refer to your relevant code of ethics as appropriate.

It consists of eight topics followed by a final assessment:

1. introduction to suicide prevention, 
2. examining the role of the psychologist, 
3. understanding suicidality, 
4. understanding priority populations,
5. assessing and formulating risk, 
6. developing and managing collaborative treatment plans, 
7. understanding ethical and legal issues, and 
8. engaging in self-care.

Level of Learning

Foundational - Intermediate. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic as well as those with some knowledge on the topic.

Team of experts who contributed to this activity

• Carmen Betterridge: ​BSc(Psych), GDipAppPsych, GDipIndigH, MForMent.H, MSuicidology, Suicide Risk Assessment Australia

• Dr Nicole Jeffery-Dawes: ​BAppSci(Psych) Hons, Dpsych (Health), MAPS FCHP Crana

• Martina McGrath: ​Lived Experience Researcher, PhD Candidate, Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Education

• Dr Zac Seidler: ​PhD, Mpsych (Clin) Senior Research Fellow, Orygen, University of Melbourne, Director of Mental Health Training, Movember

• Chad White: ​A proud Aboriginal man living and working in regional NSW. He was the Suicide Prevention Project Officer appointee for the Weddin Shire Area and has vast experience in various areas of Nursing. He has lived experience with suicide and mental health challenges and is a presenter in the Rural Minds program, in addition to working with Headspace.  

Duration of access

Access to this activity is for 6 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This eLearning activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this eLearning actvity, participants should be able to:

• understand approaches and barriers to effective suicide risk assessment,  

• develop person-centred formulations, collaborative safety plans, and action-oriented crisis interventions,  

• identify key ethical issues and obligations relevant to working with clients who are experiencing suicidal ideation and behaviours, and 

• build an adequate, concrete, and realistic self-care plan. 

Notes

CONTENT ADVISORY NOTE: This educational activity contains content on self-harm, suicide, trauma, and more. These subjects can be distressing and may evoke strong emotional responses. Please take care of your wellbeing and we encourage you to take breaks and/or seek support if needed. Please consider your environment when undertaking this activity, and ensure privacy at a level appropriate for the subject matter, be mindful when others may be in view of, or hearing distance from the webinar (e.g. family, co-workers, in public), and lock your screen when unattended.