The suicide prevention course provides strategies for healthcare professionals

Doctors play a very important role in recognizing the signs of suicidal thoughts

Suicide and the precious role clinicians can play in stopping it’s the subject of a brand new interprofessional continuing education course offered by OnCourse Learning. Suicide Prevention: Assessment, Treatment, and Risk Management in At-Risk Populations is obtainable to registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, and licensed vocational nurses, in addition to physicians, physician assistants, social staff, and psychologists. The course can be approved by the Washington State Department of Health for suicide prevention education requirements for physicians. “This education will help healthcare professionals identify symptoms and signs that may be missed,” said Dr. Jennifer Mensik, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, vp of CE programming at OnCourse Learning. “This will enable them to start having the right conversations and begin the proper referral process to ensure those at risk get the help they need.”

“This education will help healthcare professionals identify symptoms and signs that may be missed.”

Spreading awareness about suicide prevention

The information that healthcare professionals will learn throughout the course can be shared on their personal networks to attract attention to the problem. “Clinicians can educate family members, friends and relatives about symptoms to look out for,” Mensik said. “For example, simply sharing information on Facebook can significantly widen the circle of awareness about suicide. If people with symptoms are not identified, how can we help them get help?”

“For example, simply sharing information on Facebook can significantly widen the circle of awareness about suicide. If people with symptoms are not identified, how can we help them get help?”

One of probably the most vulnerable populations within the country is military veterans. According to a 2016 study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, nationwide, about 20 veterans commit suicide each day. The study found that while the civilian suicide rate increased by 23.3 percent between 2001 and 2014, the speed for veterans increased by greater than 32 percent. “We know this group needs help,” Mensik said. “How come they’re missing out?” According to the VA study, about 70 percent of veterans who commit suicide didn’t usually use VA health services. Making more healthcare providers across the health care continuum aware of the signs and symptoms will be certain that more veterans get the care they need.

Suicide Prevention Courses