Assessing Lethality (Live Online)

Course Format

Live interactive webinar: Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussion by unmuting and directly asking questions or through the chat feature in Zoom.

Thursday, July 28, 2022 from 8:45 am - 4:30 pm

Friday, July 29, 2022 from 8:45 am - 4:30 pm

Description: This is a skill focused course on how to assess and respond to adults with psychiatric emergencies where there is a risk of lethality (suicidal/ homicidal/self-harm). It will include identification of high risk factors and how to conduct lethality assessments for individuals, including those who are diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness and/or under the influence of substances. Participants will learn the levels of lethality; how to use lethality assessment tools and rating scales; how to complete documentation of services which reflect clinical assessments in accordance with the most current evidence and best practices; how to create an intervention plan for identified lethality, and when it is appropriate in professional social work practice to break confidentiality based on a current lethality assessment.

Learning Objectives:

Identify current theory and evidence-based research for lethality assessment including an overview of crisis theory and crisis intervention
Recognize signs and symptoms of lethality high risk factors in adults including consideration of cultural and diversity issues
Complete a basic lethality assessment and intervention plan utilizing social work values and ethics
Review requirements for documentation of services that reflect established guidelines for clinical assessments
Create an intervention plan for identified lethality and define the use of an interdisciplinary treatment approach including a discussion of confidentiality and when it is appropriate to break confidentiality based on the current lethality assessment

Research: Course content reflects empirically supported treatment level 3- refer to web page http://bit.ly/1nKRF3s.

Target Audience: social workers, mental health practitioners, creative arts therapists, marriage and facility therapists, psychologists, addictions professionals, and other interested individuals

Customer Service

We are happy to respond to any concerns or questions you may have. Please contact us at by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841.

ADA Accommodations: If you require any support for your ADA needs in the United States, please contact us by email at least 3 weeks prior to the event by email at sw-ce@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-829-5841.