Working with patients who express suicidal thoughts is among the most challenging—and vital—responsibilities in mental health care. This session offers a practical, compassionate framework for clinicians to assess risk, strengthen safety planning, and provide effective, person-centered support.

Join Mark Longsjo, LICSW, and Curtis Wittmann, MD, for this 90-minute training focused on integrating evidence-based tools, clinical judgment, and human connection in the care of individuals experiencing suicidality.

Why This Training Matters

Every clinician encounters patients struggling with suicidality, yet few feel fully prepared to respond. This session provides a space to learn, reflect, and grow—offering evidence-informed guidance that prioritizes compassion, communication, and collaboration.

Suicide prevention is both a professional and a deeply human responsibility. Through focused discussion, case examples, and practical frameworks, participants will gain insight into risk assessment, safety planning, documentation, and team-based care—learning to respond not from fear, but from readiness.

What You’ll Learn

• Understand suicide as both a public health issue and a deeply human experience.

• Identify a range of psychological, social, and cultural factors that contribute to risk.

• Learn to distinguish between acute and chronic suicide risk in clinical settings.

• Explore key components of collaborative, strengths-based safety planning.

• Recognize the role of empathy and communication in building trust and reducing stigma.

• Strengthen team coordination and postvention practices after a suicide or near loss.

• Address the clinician’s emotional impact and build resilience through supervision and self-awareness.