An upstream approach to suicide prevention is a way to leverage time and expand the opportunities for intervention from one single pivotal moment to a series of moments that might span years, months, weeks, or days. With the advantage of time to notice, reach out, engage, and connect – people experiencing increased stress, and the people who can support them, have more options. The idea behind an upstream approach is that rather than allowing time to pass where a situation progresses to that pivotal point of crisis, systems, communities, people, and other support systems are there to provide access to resources and support to address situations as they arise before they escalate into a life-threatening crisis.
Focusing on upstream strategies, this course will equip clinicians with tools to promote resilience, nervous system regulation, and post-traumatic growth in their clients. Based on evidence-based research, participants will learn how to support clients in building skills to navigate stress and trauma, develop group work strategies, and utilize strength-based approaches to foster long-term emotional wellness and prevent crises before they arise.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Understanding Nervous System Regulation and its Role in Suicide Prevention
- Skill Building for Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth
- Utilizing Strengths-Based Approaches for Proactive Suicide Prevention
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Understanding Nervous System Regulation and its Role in Suicide Prevention
- Explore the physiological underpinnings of trauma and stress and their impact on the nervous system.
- Discuss evidence-based methods for promoting nervous system regulation, including mindfulness, breathing techniques, and somatic interventions.
- Demonstrate how nervous system regulation contributes to emotional stability, preventing crisis points and enhancing resilience.
Objective #2: Skill Building for Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth
- Review key components of resilience, including cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and adaptive coping strategies.
- Teach skills for fostering post-traumatic growth, focusing on meaning-making, personal strength, and transformation through adversity utilizing a group approach.
- Provide interventions that help clients use their lived experiences as a foundation for growth, reducing the risk of future mental health crises.
Objective #3: Utilizing Strengths-Based Approaches for Proactive Suicide Prevention
- Explore the principles of strengths-based therapy and its application in identifying and amplifying clients’ existing resources and coping skills.
- Discuss evidence-based interventions, such as solution-focused therapy and narrative therapy, that help clients reframe challenges and build a sense of empowerment.
- Provide practical tools for therapists to facilitate client-driven solutions, increasing self-efficacy and enhancing long-term mental well-being as part of an upstream suicide prevention strategy.
Q&A
Social workers completing this course receive 2 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Christi Garner, LMFT
Recording Date: May 1, 2025
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, 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: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com