Three Pillars for Preventing Client Suicide: Suicide Risk Assessment, Safety Planning, and Risk Documentation

Valparaiso University Mental Health Topic Series

Co-Sponsored by the Valparaiso University Departments of Education and Psychology

Workshop Description

This two hour workshop for students, faculty, supervisors, and local clinicians will delve into the complicated realm of suicide risk assessment through an interactive and engaging presentation by Dr. Christopher Drapeau. Dr. Drapeau also is an ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) trainer, a Master Trainer for QPR Institute and their evidence based QPR suicide prevention training, and previously was a suicide postvention trainer for The Connect Project.

Event Details

  • Friday, October 5, 2018
  • 3:30-5:30pm (check-in begins at 3:00pm)
  • Room Urschel Hall #202, Valparaiso University (Campus Map)
  • Cost: $40.00 (Free for current VU students and faculty)
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Learning Goals

By the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:

  1. Discuss how to use the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale to elicit accurate information about past and current suicide risk.   
  2. Explain the need for practical safety plans that are updated regularly.
  3. Summarize the rationale for documenting suicide risk assessments.
  4. Name at least two recommended pieces of information to document following a suicide risk assessment.
  5. Discuss the possible benefits of approaching suicide prevention efforts from a social ecological perspective.

Continuing Education

Licensed mental health professionals in Indiana can obtain 2 CEUs upon completion of this program. As a nationally accredited university, Valparaiso University is approved by the Indiana State Psychology Board and Indiana Behavioral Health Board to provide:

  • Category I continuing education for psychologists for ethics
  • Category I continuing education for LSW, LCSW, LMFT, LMHC, LMFTA, LCAC and LAC for ethics
  • Licensees must judge the program’s relevance to their professional practice.

Presenter: Christopher W. Drapeau, Ph.D.

Photo of Dr. Christopher Drapeau

Assistant Professor of Education at Valparaiso University, serving as a faculty member in the graduate M.Ed./Ed.S. School Psychology Program. He received his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Ball State University and completed a Clinical Psychology postdoctoral fellowship at Mississippi State University. Dr. Drapeau teaches a graduate-level crisis assessment and intervention course at Valpo and has experience conducting and documenting suicide risk assessments across multiple settings, including public and private schools, outpatient clinics, and university counseling centers. He serves on the board of directors for the Indiana Suicide Prevention Network and has worked with the Indiana Department of Education on state suicide prevention initiatives, including the development of a model school suicide prevention policy and resource guide.

Facilitators

The workshop will be facilitated by Valparaiso Faculty: Dr. Sara Golomb and Dr. Mandy Morrill 

Future Events: Save the Date!

Please mark your calendars for Friday, April 5, 2019 from 2:00-5:00pm when Valparaiso University’s own Dr. Mandy Morrill will lead a three hour workshop dedicated to ethics and supervision. Dr. Morrill, an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department, is the Director for the Counseling and Psychology Graduate Programs.

Join us as Dr. Morrill brings together an interdisciplinary panel of faculty and local practitioners to provide their multiple perspectives and insight!