About the Course:

Research consistently shows a high prevalence of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among persons with substance abuse problems who are in treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 50, Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment is designed to assist in working with adult clients who may be suicidal. Clinical Vignettes Demonstrating How to Apply the Information presents the “how to” of working with clients with suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors. The chapter contains representative vignettes of counseling sessions, master clinician notes and comments, and “how-to” descriptions of specific counseling techniques. Course materials are from Part 1, Chapter 2, found on pages 33 to 88 of pdf document (pages 42 -97 if using Adobe toolbar page finder). Course materials can be accessed either 1) online or 2) by ordering the book free of charge from: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18118

Journal/Publisher:

SAMHSA

Publication Date:

2009

Course Material Author

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially addiction counselors, psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, and nurses who seek knowledge about addressing suicidal thoughts and behaviors in substance abuse treatment. It is appropriate for introductory to intermediate levels of participants’ knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. Describe the GATE process, risk screening, clinical supervision, possible actions, and case management for clients at risk of suicide, and discuss treatment planning for clients which includes family involvement.

2. Explain the connections between suicidal thoughts and behavior, substance use, and trauma, the possibility that suicidality will be minimized in an initial interview, the process of obtaining consultation, and the roll of followup after referral to further treatment.

3. Discuss how subtle signs of suicidality can manifest in an intensive treatment environment, a therapeutic response, and the effect that a client’s statements regarding suicide can have on other clients in a treatment program.

4. Describe the gathering of information about suicidality with a client in an emotional crisis, crisis intervention and referral with a client who is not initially cooperative, crisis suicide intervention over the telephone, and use and development of detailed safety plan.