Using Prevention-Oriented Risk Formulation for Suicide Concerns
Labeling someone as high, medium, or low risk doesn't tell us much. Risk compared to who? Risk compared to when? Prevention risk formulation provides an approach for understanding individual situations and planning meaningful responses. It shifts focus from prediction to prevention. This eLearning module provides an evidence-based approach for understanding and communicating about suicide risk in ways that lead to meaningful safety planning rather than prediction.
Risk labels can unintentionally create barriers to vital services, leaving needs unmet. Predicting suicide based on risk categories alone is only slightly better than chance (Franklin et al., 2017). This video excerpt of the eLearning walks through risk status, risk state, available resources, and foreseeable changes, and shows how these elements work together.
What You Will Learn
- The strong evidence base for means safety and how to implement these lifesaving measures
- Practical tools to learn about which method of suicide a person may be considering
- How to collaboratively enhance means safety strategies in practice
- How to engage family and other supports in creating meaningful, collaborative safety plans
This training complements existing safety planning practices within and outside the SafeSide Framework, and is an add-on to the SafeSide CARE program designed specifically for staff who work directly with individuals on safety planning.
It includes discussion of suicide methods and means, something we generally advise against for most people, but essential knowledge for those whose role requires having these conversations safely and effectively with clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are designed to be completed at any point in a learning journey. They offer structured content that can serve as preparation before SafeSide CARE workshops, refreshers afterward, or even standalone learning.
The module is designed to be completed in 60 minutes, but you can pace it according to your schedule.
Yes, when you submit your post-evaluation, you'll receive a downloadable certificate of completion.
This is an optional advanced module available to SafeSide subscribers. Contact us for pricing details.
For those who purchase the eCourse, there are accompanying tools included. For those who have added the eCourse to their SafeSide CARE learning, they also have access to ongoing support, including weekly microlearnings, a Community of Practice, and SafeSide Live Learning Sessions.
Yes. Workplaces may use risk classifications such as high/medium/low. Pairing this with prevention-oriented descriptions of risk, increasing person-centered language and contextual focus, flowing naturally to planning.
It can, but it doesn’t have to. You can shift entirely or include existing risk assessment tools in prevention-oriented risk formulation. SafeSide provides consultation on customising and integrating the SafeSide Framework, including prevention-oriented risk formulation if you desire that support.