UMatter Professionals: Youth Suicide Prevention for Faith Leaders

Religious counseling does not carry the stigma or the cost of mental health care. Research indicates that 40% of emotionally distressed people are more likely to turn to a faith leader for help than to a physician, psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

Learn:
The risk factors and warning signs, including direct and indirect verbal clues
How faith communities can play an essential role in suicide prevention
How religious traditions influence attitudes toward mental illness, suicide and help-seeking
The importance of developing working relationships with mental health professionals
The special challenges of memorial services, funerals and healing ceremonies for a youth that has died by suicide
The value of safe messaging in reducing the suicide contagion effect

This workshop is an opportunity to gather with your colleagues to learn about your best response to suicidal youth.

The Connect Model
The goal of the Connect model is for communities and Service Providers to become competent and confident in responding to suicidal incidents. The emphasis is on a community-based approach for early recognition and skill-building as well as promoting healing and reducing risk after a suicide.

The Connect Suicide Prevention curriculum has been recognized as a nationally-designated Best Practice by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. It is closely aligned and based on research with specific professional protocols in responding to suicide attempts and threats. Clinical Providers will find this training relevant since the training reflects the Best Practice for standards of care for suicidal clients, particularly for Emergency Service clinicians who conduct full risk assessments with clients.

By attending the Connect Suicide Prevention training, professionals will better understand key service provider roles and responsibilities and how linkages are developed to facilitate improved communication, strengthen the safety net for individuals at risk and enhance sustainability.