Conceptualization and pilot testing of a core competency-based training workshop in suicide risk assessment and management: Notes from the field

Résumé

textbfOBJECTIVES: As professional psychology training programs and continuing education have moved toward competency based approaches, it has become equally important to develop uniform, evidence-based approaches for suicide risk assessment and management. The present article presents a workshop curriculum based on established core competencies in suicide risk assessment and management. textbfMETHOD: Drawing on theories suicide risk formation, the workshop features an integration of didactic, process, and experiential components. We present pilot data from 2 small group workshops (n = 17): 1 from a clinical psychology doctoral program and 1 from a university counseling center. textbfRESULTS: Workshop participation yielded increases in (a) the ability to recognize appropriate clinician responses to suicidal client statements, (b) self-perceptions of general capacity to interface with suicidal patients and mastery of the 10 core competencies, (c) factual knowledge concerning suicide risk assessment and management, and (d) the self-rated ability to assess and manage a suicidal patient. textbfCONCLUSION: We discuss statistical and generalizability limitations as well as implications for future modification, implementation, and provision of this training method. DÉPISTAGE POTENTIEL-SUICIDAIRE ÉVALUATION-CLINIQUE FORMATION COMPÉTENCE INTERVENTION