About the Course
Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the United States for adolescents and adults alike, and substance use amplifies both suicidal ideation and attempts. Each year, suicide and drug-related deaths together account for more than 200,000 lives lost. This training and learning collaborative gives substance use prevention professionals the skills to identify and respond to suicide risk as a critical step toward interrupting these patterns.
Learning Objectives
1. Identify key indicators of suicide risk that commonly co-occur with substance use in prevention and community-based settings.
2. Differentiate between overdose risk and suicide risk, including how substance use can amplify suicidal behavior.
3. Demonstrate appropriate, role-aligned responses to suicide risk, including engagement, documentation, and referral.
4. Assess prevention program practices to find where suicide risk may be overlooked and select at least one feasible program-level adjustment.