Suicide Prevention in LGBTQIA+ Clients- 6 CEs

About the Course

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, but suicide rates vary by sexuality, gender, age, race/ethnicity, and a number of other factors. For example, LGBTQIA+ youth have higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors than their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. Indigenous communities in the United States historically had very low rates of suicide before European colonization, but now experience rates of suicide three to nine times higher than the national average. Despite the prevalence, training on managing suicidal ideation and a suicidal crisis is limited for most clinicians. Additionally, the therapists’ countertransference towards a suicidal patient can include strong emotions, such as helplessness, hatred, and anxiety, which can limit the clinician’s effectiveness. This course will cover foundational knowledge for affirmative clinical work with LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) clients. . The second part of the training will examine suicide risk and protective factors, and identification of warning signs to help psychotherapists assess suicide risk. Participants will learn about psychodynamics of suicide specific to LGBTQIA+ clients, including anger directed towards internal and external objects, desire for self-punishment, and desire to escape psychic pain. Effective interventions aimed at reducing suicidal ideation and behaviors will be covered utilizing affirmative and culturally humble clinical approaches. This course fulfills the 6 hours of suicide prevention and intervention requirements for psychologists, MFTs, Counselors, and Social Workers in California.