• Date: Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020
• Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET
• Location: Virtual Colloquium (Zoom link will be provided)

Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death for Americans of all ages and the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 34. We know that many of those who attempt suicides are ambivalent about suicide. Preventing these suicides, which may be impulsive, sometimes can be accomplished by reducing access to lethal methods of suicide, particularly firearms and medication. This workshop addresses the ethical rationale for and the method to attain means reduction in a counseling session using the following four steps: 

1. Explain that you believe that the individual or family member is at risk for suicide and why you have made that determination. 
2. Describe how they can reduce the risk by reducing access to lethal means. 
3. Review specific steps they can take to remove or at least reduce access to firearms, medications and other lethal means. 
4. Make this a part of a more comprehensive suicide prevention strategy. 

This workshop includes didactic Power Point presentations, viewing a model counseling session, discussion and practice role play. The ethics code for APA and ACA will be referenced.