September Program Agenda

Rick Mogil – is a survivor of his younger brother Ed’s suicide, which occurred in 2003.
He was a volunteer for the Survivors After Suicide program at Didi Hirsch for 3 years, serving on the Advisory Board, co-facilitating groups, writing for the newsletter and a member of the Suicide Response Team (members are sent to the scene of a suicide to help families, neighbors and others, in the hours following a suicide).

He is currently the Program Director for Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Services programs at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services which include the Survivors After Suicide support groups, community outreach and training and the Suicide Response Team.

Rick is a Certified Bereavement Facilitator.

Refer to his website for further info: www.DidiHirsch.org.

Click here to refer to his presentation handouts.

Overview

Preventing Suicide
1 hour session

Description of Content: This presentation will provide an overview of suicide prevention.  Our presenter will discuss the nature of suicide, related statistics, risk factors, myths, and warning signs.  They will discuss how to assess for lethality, how to manage a person who is suicidal, and will provide information on resource referrals.

Course Outline

I.          Understanding Suicide

A.         Definition
B.         Stigma
C.         Attempts/Completions
D.         Differences re: gender, ethnicity and other variables

II.         Risk Factors

A.         Mental Illness
B.         Substance Abuse
C.         Gun in the Home

III.        Suicide Facts

A.         Holiday time vs Spring
B.         You will not cause suicide by asking directly
C.         Suicide is not the result of one stressful event

IV.        Warning Signs

A.         Behavioral Signs
B.         Verbal signs

V.         Lethality Assessment

A.         Assess for suicide risk
B.         Assessing the need to hospitalize

VI.        Managing the Suicidal Person

A.         Strategies for maintaining safety
B.         Community resources and how to use

VII.       Questions and Answers

Course Goals and Objectives

1.   Participants will receive an overview of the nature of suicide and suicide statistics
2.   Participants will have a clear understanding of the risk factors for suicide and be able to assess the validity of myths about suicide.
3.   Participants will be able to identify the warning signs of suicide and assess for the likelihood of lethality when evaluating a client/family member.
4.   Participants will be able to identify resources available in managing a client/family member who is suicidal.