Suicide: How to Talk about “It” (virtual)

On August 30th 2024 by admin
Ana Guerra, LCSW, LPC, LCADC, CCS October 16, 2024 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Remote Access COST: $110 6 CEU’s

Suicidal ideation can quickly escalate to a plan. So why are we so afraid to talk about this with clients? For some, it is a lack of training in this regard. Participants will explore “reasons” often associated with suicide attempts and the potential media has to deter or educate. Evidence based tools such as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) will be presented to offer clinicians effective, age-appropriate language and guidelines to discuss this arduous but critical topic with clients and caregivers. Thought-provoking discussions serve to enhance clinician’s ability to recognize and respond to clients or families in crisis thus making “it” less taboo.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify pervasive precipitants of suicide.
• Describe the role of media in suicide prevention or escalation.
• Discern myths and facts about suicide.
• Recognize warning signs of suicide.
• Discuss, practice and apply skills that aid in conducting a basic risk assessment.
• Explain the significance of speaking with clients about suicide in prevention efforts.

Ana Guerra, LCSW, LPC, LCADC
Ms. Guerra, is a seasoned mental health professional with extensive experience in mental health and substance use disorders. She specializes in the treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders and Trauma. Ms. Guerra parlayed her clinical experience into a career as an adjunct/faculty member for various colleges and universities in NJ. She proposed, developed the curriculum and taught the Substance Use Disorder courses at Kean University’s Social Work Department. Ms. Guerra teaches across the Bachelor and Master level curriculum in Social Work and Addiction Studies. As a trainer for NJPN, she served as an integral team member revising the CADC curriculum. Ms. Guerra facilitates training and consultation for various mental health, substance use and academic settings. She also maintains a private practice. Ms. Guerra is approved by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of NJ (APCBNJ) to teach initial and re-certification L/CADC courses. In 2018 & 2019, Ms. Guerra facilitated training for NASW-NJ and the Annual Conference. Ms. Guerra was selected by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to serve on the National Taskforce Committee to develop CSWE’s Substance Use Curricular Guide which was published in 2020. In 2021, Ms. Guerra was approved by the APCBNJ as a Mandatory Legal Class Trainer; then in 2022, the NJ Alcohol & Drug Counselor Committee approved Ms. Guerra to teach the 3-hour Legal Standards course.

CE’s New Jersey:
This course “Suicide: How to Talk about ‘It’” and the trainer, Ana Guerra have been approved by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of NJ. This course, provided by Behavioral Health Matters, approval #403101624REC6 has been approved for six (6) continuing education credit hours by the APCBNJ. Credentials issued by the APCBNJ, the NJ Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners and the NJ Board of Social Work Examiners recognize such courses. This 6 CE course is approved for social work continuing education hours in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.4c12.

CE’s New York Social Workers:
Behavioral Health Matters, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers; provider approval #SW-0443. Social workers attending this Live-Online course titled: “Suicide: How to Talk about ‘It”‘ will receive six (6) continuing education contact hours.



Behavioral Health Matters