Description:
OPD Points: 5
In this talk you will get an overview of the current understandings of suicide risk assessment. This talk is for anyone who potentially works with suicidal people and would like the skills to asses the risk.
Key Learning Objectives / Outcomes:
In this talk, Director of Suicide Risk Assessment Australia, Carmen Betterridge, offers a framework for understanding suicide and its assessment. Suicidality can be a subject clinicians find anxiety provoking and difficult to engage with. Carmen highlights the central features of appropriate approach and attitude to clients who may be at risk of suicide, including the role of empathy and compassionate connection in establishing a sound basis from which to undertake an assessment. Carmen highlights the importance of assessing psychosocial needs that may be driving suicidality, together with opportunities for support. This talk introduces concepts of internal and external drivers of suicidal behaviours, as described in clinical research. Carmen offers practical elements to support a suicide enquiry, with specific questions aiding in the uncovering of intent, essential to the assessment of suicidality.
Presenter / Provider:
Carmen Betteridge
Presenter Qualifications:
Carmen is a Subject Matter Expert in suicidology, being Director and Principle Psychologist with Suicide Risk Australia. She consults across a broad range of government, non-government and corporate sectors. Carmen is also lecturer and Course Convenor for the Masters of Suicidology, Griffith University. Additionally she cofacilitates the Systematic Tailored Assessment for Responding to Suicidality (STARS) Protocol training with Jacinta Hawgood. Carmen has developed and delivered suicide prevention, mental health and safety packages to private industry and small business. With over 15 years' experience in the assessment of workplace psychological functioning and psychological injury, Carmen has a passion for psychological injury prevention, with extensive insights into the delivery of psychological safety according to WHS legislation and employer policy. She has led several projects with workplaces in implementing Psychological Health and Safety.
