In partnership with the Washington Council for Behavioral Health through the Delta Center grant 
Suicide Risk Assessment and Management in the Age of Telehealth

A Live Virtual Learning Event
Wednesday
December 16, 2020
12:00pm - 1:00pm PST
Intended Audience

This event is intended for behavioral health clinicians at federally qualified centers and community mental health agencies.
Description

This session will provide formal educational information followed by a roundtable discussion to promote peer learning and support for providers engaging in tele-behavioral health. Dr. Kate Comtois, clinical expert in suicidality has been working in the area of health services, treatment development, and clinical trials research to prevent suicide for over 20 years.

This presentation will discuss effective strategies for the assessment and management of suicide risk, including how to adapt these strategies to the virtual platform, and technologies that can support the telehealth of suicidal patients. Resources for supporting patients and identifying appropriate engagement of in-person assessment and crisis response will also be covered. Dr. Comtois will facilitate discussion of the pros and cons of in-person vs. telehealth care of suicidal individuals, and elucidate key issues to consider in planning care.

The presentation will be followed by a facilitated roundtable discussion of standards of care and evidence-based practices specifically for tele- behavioral health. Attendees will have the opportunity to present challenges in supporting patients remotely during the COVID-19 crisis, and seek peer and expert advice. Dr. Comtois will identify key resources which will be shared with attendees before the session and discussed during the webinar.
Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
  1. Distinguish between direct and indirect drivers of suicide
  2. Describe the pros and cons of suicide assessment approaches
  3. Describe technology options for assessment and management of suicide risk
  4. Identify and implement relevant resources for supporting patients, including appropriate engagement of in-person assessment and crisis response resources when needed
Presenter
Kate Comtois, PhD, MPH
Professor, Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences University of Washington
and, Clinical Psychologist, UWMC Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic
Location: A Live Virtual Learning Event