Free learning session for mental health clinicians, peer support leads and first responders.
Within the mental health field, studies have consistently found that between 25-50% of mental health professionals will lose a patient to suicide in the course of their careers; statistics that suggests a clear occupational hazard. Despite this, most Mental Health professions continue to view suicide loss as an aberration. Consequently, there is often a lack of preparedness for such an event when it does occur.
This presentation will summarize what's currently known about the personal and professional experiences of a Clinician’s suicide loss (of both clients/patients and loved ones). Much of this will also be relevant for other types of professional caregivers, such as teachers and clergy. Dr Gutin will highlight the impact of suicide loss on clinical work and identity, as well as those factors which optimally facilitate recovery and growth. The role of stigma around the areas of suicide loss and professional vulnerability will be addressed, particularly as these may serve to exacerbate the isolation that many clinicians experience after such a loss.
In addition, Dr. Gutin will review the legal and ethical issues that are likely to arise after the suicide of a client/patient, which may further complicate clinicians’ responses to these issues, including issues pertaining to confidentiality, contact with the deceased’s family after a suicide, institutional reviews, etc. Postvention guidelines, which incorporate these issues at personal, professional and institutional levels, will be offered. Finally, she will describe the unique resources provided by the Coalition of Clinician-Survivors, which can optimally facilitate recovery and growth for clinicians (and other professional caregivers) who have experienced personal and/or professionally-based losses.
Interactive discussion with workshop participants about their own experiences with suicide loss will be encouraged, in order to enable a breakdown in the professional isolation that often accompanies such a loss, and to enhance the learning experience of all participants. This training will be held virtually and is free to attend.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to identify at least 3 common effects of client/family suicide loss on a clinician’s professional work and identity.
Participants will be able to describe the ways in which stigma around suicide and “professional stigma” may impact the sequelae of suicide loss for clinicians
Participants will be able to identify the professional factors most likely to facilitate optimal outcomes for impacted clinicians and staff following the suicide loss of a client/patient.