Inland Empire Chapter of CAMFT

Creating Hope with Action - Talking about Suicide

Caroline Nersessian, LCSW

Rates of suicide are on the rise and the risk of suicide is among one of the most serious issues our clients experience.  As clinicians our aim with suicidal clients is to reduce their distress and to help create a sense of hope.  Although suicide prevention work helps to save the lives of many, the work itself can feel overwhelming and even exasperating.  This presentation aimed to engage the participants so that they may appreciate the importance of talking about suicide and to begin the process of working effectively with people who have thoughts of suicide.

Seminar participants learned about the impact of suicide within the community and the importance of discussing the risk of suicide in practice.  Participants learned both risk and protective factors, suicide assessment, how to ask about suicide directly, and how to appropriately identify community resources. In an effort to reduce liability, participants also learned about the value and limits of suicide safety plans.

Objectives:

1.    Participants developed an understanding of suicide as a serious community health problem

2.    Participants identified the client’s risk for suicide

3.    Participants learned how to assess, ask, and respond to suicide

4.     Participants learned how to reduce liability of suicide-related complications in practice

Caroline Nersessian is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience in the field specializing in mental health issues surrounding children and families.  She works at the Child and Family Guidance Center as the Clinical Director of School Based Services, Therapeutic Behavioral Services and the Northpoint School, a nonpublic school for students with severe emotional and behavior challenges.  Caroline is a Part Time Faculty member at the California State University, Northridge since 2010 where she teaches Field Seminar, Urban Family Practice and Generalist Social Work practice courses.  Caroline is trained and certified in the Living Works models of suicide prevention.  These include safeTALK, suicide awareness; ASIST, suicide prevention; and Suicide to HOPE, a recovery and growth model for people who have had thoughts/actions but are currently safe from suicide.  Her goal is to bring suicide awareness to the community level to help reduce the stigma and increase the ability to openly talk about and support those who are having thoughts of suicide.