Preferred registration deadline: September 18th

3 CEs

Older adults show the highest rates of suicide completion in the United States over any other age group. Social workers and health care professionals are in prime positions to assess, intervene, and treat older adults who are at high risk for suicide. In this workshop will present the most recent data on suicide risk and completion in the older adult population. We will identify risk factors, address suicide risk assessment, and offer practical intervention models to participants. This workshop will use case studies and clinical examples for participants to engage in the process of risk assessment and to apply these strategies to real-life situations.

This is an interactive synchronous distance learning course via Zoom. This class meets the requirement for at least 2 CEUs in suicide continuing education each licensure period.

General Admission: $65**  

Class size is limited to 45.
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

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Course Outline

Content Level: Beginner

Target Audiences:  Social Workers and mental health providers, especially those working with Older Adult Populations  

Agenda:

• Introduction - 5 mins
• Identifying the problem – Trends in Suicidology - 20 mins
• Breakout discussions/small group - 15 mins
• The role of Social Workers in Suicide Prevention - 5 mins
• Risk and Protective factors for older adults - 15 mins
• Breakout discussions /small group - 15 mins
• Risk Assessment with older adults - 25 mins 
• Safety Planning - 25 mins
  • Six Step approach to Safety Planning
  • Notes about safety planning and dementia
• Small group study and breakouts - 15 mins
• Prevention/Enhancement of Client Well-being - 20 mins
• Engaging with your workplace/organization about suicide risk for older adults - 10 mins
• Q&A - 10 mins

Learner Outcomes

• Describe current suicide research and risk factors in the older adult population.
• Identify key questions to include in a suicide risk assessment with older adults.
• Apply effective interventions for older adults at risk for suicide.
• Describe the role of empathy on the effectiveness of suicide-specific social work interventions. 

Course Completion Requirements:

• The Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, Professional Development, provider #2130, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/24/2025 – 9/24/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.
• The Brown School is also an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois.
• To earn ACE credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. ACE credit is not provided for partial attendance.  However, you may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs provided by the Brown School.
• Brown School CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available. ACE CE Certificates, if requested in your evaluation survey, will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.
• For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancellation policy, our grievance policy, or other inquiries, please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.