This intensive, practice-focused workshop prepares Kaiser Permanente clinicians to confidently assess, intervene, and coordinate care for youth at risk for suicide. Participants will review current epidemiological data, including recent trends and subgroup differences in youth suicidal ideation, attempts, and deaths, to ground clinical decision-making in the realities of contemporary risk.
We begin by dismantling common myths and clarifying essential facts about youth suicide, followed by a brief exploration of provider-level factors, including personal beliefs, fears, and assumptions that influence assessment and therapeutic engagement. Clinicians will learn strategies to recognize and regulate their own reactions so they can stay present, accurate, and effective with suicidal youth.
The workshop provides targeted guidance on conducting evidence-based suicide risk assessment using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), including how to integrate its findings into real-time clinical decision-making. We then move to intervention and management, reviewing best practices from the Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) and demonstrating how to adapt safety planning collaboratively to match developmental needs, cultural context, and family dynamics.
Participants will be introduced to key components of the Suicide in Schools (Erbacher, Singer, & Poland, 2024) framework, focusing on the Suicide Risk Assessment tool and the Home–School Safety Plan, and learn how these practical tools can strengthen continuity of care by aligning outpatient/health-system interventions with school-based supports.
A central portion of the workshop addresses family engagement. Providers will learn how to bring caregivers into the conversation early, how to deliver difficult news that a child is suicidal, and how to anticipate and skillfully respond to the full spectrum of caregiver reactions, including fear, anger, denial, overwhelm, confusion, all while maintaining rapport and safety. We will also discuss culturally responsive, LGBTQ+-affirming, and trauma-informed approaches to engaging diverse families.
Finally, the workshop highlights evidence-based therapeutic strategies for suicidal youth, including core principles of Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) and solution-focused brief approaches. Through case examples, clinicians will learn how to use relationship-repair strategies, solution-focused conversations, and rapid alliance-building techniques to reduce risk and increase engagement in ongoing treatment.
This workshop emphasizes practical skills, realistic case material, and immediately applicable strategies that help clinicians feel more grounded, confident, and effective in their work with suicidal youth.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate their own emotional and cognitive responses during high-risk encounters.
- Use caregivers effectively and compassionately, even when reactions are intense or unexpected.
- Apply ABFT- and solution-focused-informed strategies to support stabilization and ongoing care.
Instructional Level
This CE program is free to Kaiser Permanente employees.
Instructional Methodology
Lecture
Audio/Visual
On-line Presentation
Continuing Education Information
Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Training Programs (KPMHTP) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. KPMHTP maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Kaiser Permanente Northern California Mental Health Training Programs designate this live activity for 3 hours continuing education credits for the above-identified licensed professionals.
Refund and Attendance Policy
This session is free to all Kaiser Employees. There is no known commercial support for this program. For questions and requests for information, please contact our program evaluator: supria.k.gill@kp.org
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Those who attend the program in full and complete the appropriate evaluation form will receive CE credits. Please note that credit will only be granted for those who attend the entire lecture.
