Description
Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will:
• Be aware of Canadian laws concerning suicide
• Know who and when to screen for suicide risk
• Understand the importance of maintaining a collaborative, empathetic stance towards the person
• Recall key evidence-based interviewing techniques
• Describe an evidence-based method for initial suicide risk screening and referral
Description:
Join us for an impactful webinar designed to equip health and mental health professionals with essential, evidence-based tools for suicide screening. In this session, you’ll gain a clear understanding of current Canadian legal frameworks surrounding suicide and learn practical criteria for identifying who and when to screen for risk. We’ll explore the critical role of maintaining a collaborative, empathetic approach in clinical interactions, alongside key evidence-based interviewing techniques that foster trust and open communication. Finally, you will walk away with a structured, evidence-based methodology for initial risk screening and seamless patient referral. Register today to make a meaningful difference in crisis care.
Who Should Attend?:
• Nurses. NPs, MDs, PAs, EMTs in Primary Care, Emergency, and Pre-Hospital Settings
• Nurses, Physicians, Psychologists, Social Workers, Therapists in Adult, Pediatric, and Geriatric Mental Health Settings
• Nurses, Physicians, Psychologists, Social Workers, Therapists in Correctional/Forensic Settings
• Nurse and Allied Health Professionals in any Setting where Suicide is of Heightened Concern
Ken McDonald, RN, MSN is a mental health nurse whose clinical practice focuses on suicide risk management. He is the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for specialized mental health and substance use services within a large Canadian healthcare organization. For the past 15 years, he has served as a clinical lead for the organization’s suicide risk management standards, training, and quality improvement initiatives.
Ken also contributes to provincial suicide prevention standards and quality improvement planning, as well as work related to involuntary care and restraint. He is an adjunct faculty member at the UBC MacIsaac School of Nursing.
