Assessment of Suicidal Risk Using the C-SSRS ©2013 – Module (30 min)

You will earn a certificate for viewing, and continuing education credits are available for social workers and credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselors (CASAC). In order to receive your certificate, you will need to pass a post-training knowledge check and complete a brief post-training survey. 

The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) was developed to assist practitioners and others to better identify people at suicide risk. This module introduces the C-SSRS, discusses its importance, and provides information about its structure. In addition, the learner is provided with detailed instructions concerning the administration of the scale.

 Comprehensive Suicide Risk Assessment ©2016 – Module (45 min) 

You will earn a certificate for viewing, and continuing education credits are available for CASAC only. In order to receive your certificate, you will need to pass a post-training knowledge check and complete a brief post-training survey. 

The Comprehensive Suicide Risk Assessment training provides guidance and a framework for mental health providers to conduct a comprehensive assessment of suicidal risk that informs triage decisions and recommendations for effective prevention and intervention. The on-line module training consists of didactics, video interviews to illustrate the didactics, interactive testing of knowledge interspersed throughout the course, summary of case profile, evaluation. The didactics training reviews seven categories of risk factors, types of risk factors including longstanding chronic distal risk factors and more imminent, proximal risk factors and warning signs, as well as protective factors. The instructional aspects of the training include a framework for weighing risk factors and protective factors, with the use of a videotaped case to illustrate how to conduct the risk assessment interview to obtain information about and prioritize distal and proximal risk factors, warning signs and protective factors and developing a risk/protective factor profile. Instruction also includes how to utilize this profile to assign a level of risk to determine the most appropriate level of care. The case example also illustrates applying the risk profile and level to the development of a risk formulation that can aid in documentation. 

By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

1. Learn what a comprehensive suicide risk assessment is;
2. Be familiar with how to conduct a comprehensive suicide risk assessment interview;
3. Understand the 7 categories of risk factors and protective factors for suicide;
4. Learn to distinguish between distal, proximal risk factors and warning signs for suicide;
5. Learn how to develop a suicide risk profile;
6. Learn how to use the suicide risk profile to determine appropriate suicide prevention intervention.

 Suicide Risk Assessment – Archived Webinar (1 hr 30 min) 

You will earn a certificate for viewing, and continuing education credits are available for social workers and CASAC. In order to view the recording, you will need to complete a brief pre-training survey (<5 min). You will also need to pass a post-training knowledge check and complete a brief post-training survey to receive your certificate of completion. 

The Suicide Risk Assessment training provides guidance and a framework for mental health providers to conduct a comprehensive assessment of suicidal risk that informs triage decisions and recommendations for effective prevention and intervention.  The framework is designed to be utilized in conjunction with informed clinical judgment.  The webinar training is a one and a half hour training which consists of didactics, instruction, case vignette examples, and discussion.  The didactics training reviews seven categories of risk factors, types of risk factors including longstanding chronic distal risk factors and more imminent proximal risk factors and warning signs, as well as protective factors.  The instructional aspects of the training include a framework for weighing risk factors and protective factors, with the use of case vignettes to illustrate how to identify and prioritize distal and proximal risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors, and develop a risk/protective factor profile.  Instruction also includes how to utilize this profile to assign a level of risk to determine the most appropriate level of care.  The case vignettes also provide instruction and illustration of applying the risk profile and level to the development of a risk formulation that can aid in documentation.  The training concludes with a summary discussion of the training and how participants can begin to administer and utilize the intervention. 

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the basic components of a comprehensive risk assessment;
2. Name the seven categories of risk factors used during a risk assessment;
3. Distinguish between proximal risk factors, distal risk factors, and warning signs;
4. Differentiate definitions of suicidal behavior;
5. Assign a suicide risk level by using their knowledge of risk and protective factors as well as their clinical judgment when creating an individualized profile for a person;
6. Use a determined risk level to inform triage decisions and level of intervention.