sponsor: National Council on Behavioral Health

Suicide prevention can seem like a daunting undertaking for any workforce, but as the number of deaths by suicide keeps increasing, it becomes a necessary public health issue to be addressed within health care. Currently the 10th leading cause of death, suicide claims more lives than traffic accidents and exceeds more than twice the number of homicides. Although most individuals, including children and adolescents, who eventually die by suicide, receive health care services in the month prior to death, providers at the point of care often do not detect suicidal thoughts. A comprehensive approach to suicide prevention includes strategies for prevention, identification and assessment of at-risk individuals, intervention, and postvention. Organizations must ensure staff members have the appropriate knowledge and skills at every level. Join Relias and the National Council for this important conversation.