Suicide Prevention Training for PT, OT, and SLP Professionals
This course equips physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists with essential skills to recognize and respond to suicide risk in their patients. It covers key risk factors, validated screening tools, and evidence-based intervention strategies tailored to various rehabilitation settings. Participants will also explore best practices for interprofessional collaboration and patient-centered referral processes to ensure safety and continuity of care. This course meets the three-hour suicide prevention training requirement for Washington State and provides practical guidance applicable to rehabilitation professionals in all states.
This course equips physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists with essential skills to recognize and respond to suicide risk in their patients. It covers key risk factors, validated screening tools, and evidence-based intervention strategies tailored to various rehabilitation settings. Participants will also explore best practices for interprofessional collaboration and patient-centered referral processes to ensure safety and continuity of care. This course meets the three-hour suicide prevention training requirement for Washington State and provides practical guidance applicable to rehabilitation professionals in all states.
Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy
Alabama State Board Of Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Occupational Therapists will receive 3.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
American Occupational Therapy Association
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Relias LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 0000013385. This Distance Learning-Independent is offered at 0.30 CEUs, Introductory, OT Service Delivery; Professional Issues; Foundational Knowledge. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
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Various Level
0.30 ASHA CEUs
Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners
Arizona Board Of Occupational Therapy Examiners (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Occupational Therapists will receive 3.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Arkansas State Medical Board - Occupational Therapy
CA Physical Therapy Board of California
Relias Learning, LLC is recognized as an approved provider of continuing competency courses by the Physical Therapy Board of California. This course is approved for 3.00 contact hours.
Florida Board of Occupational Therapy
Florida Board of Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 3.00 contact hours.
Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy
Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 3.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Illinois Division of Professional Regulation of Physical Therapists
Relias LLC is an Illinois Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor, number 216.000290. This activity is approved for 3.00 contact hours.
Kansas Board of Healing Arts - Occupational Therapy
Kansas Board of Healing Arts - Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 3.00 contact hours.
Kansas Health Department of Aging and Disability Services (Speech)
Approved for 3.0000 continuing education clock hours for Kansas Speech Pathologists and Audiologists by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability. Long Term Sponsorship number LTS-S1057. This activity is approved for 3.0000 contact hours.
Louisiana State Board Medical Examiners- Occupational Therapy
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners - Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 3.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
This course has been approved by the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 0.3.0 CEUs.
Michigan Board Of Occupational Therapy
Minnesota State Board of Physical Therapy
This course is approved by the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy for 2.0000 Category 1 credits and offered to PTs and PTAs for CEUs.
Mississippi State Department of Health- Occupational Therapy
Mississippi State Department of Health- Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 3.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
Nevada State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners
This course has been approved by the Nevada State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. This activity is approved for 3.00 contact hours.
New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Governing Board
New York Physical Therapy
The New York State Education Department's State Board for Physical Therapy has recognized Relias Learning, LLC as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapy assistant continuing education. This activity is approved for 3.00 contact hours.
Ohio Physical Therapy Association
This course is approved by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association, approval number 25S2404. This activity is approved for 3.00 contact hours.
Ohio Physical Therapy Association
This course is approved by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association, approval number 26S1757. This activity is approved for 3.00 contact hours.
Oklahoma Board Of Medical Licensure And Supervision - Occupational Therapy
Oklahoma Board Of Medical Licensure And Supervision - Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 3.00 contact hours.
PTs/PTAs (CE Credit)
South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy
South Carolina Board Of Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 3.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy
Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Occupational Therapists will receive 3.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Tennessee Physical Therapy Association
Tennessee Physical Therapy Association Approval Number #2026-916 for Class 1 Continuing Competency Requirement.
Presenter(s): Bridgett Ross, PsyD; Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP
This course is approved for 3.0000 contact hours.
Identify at-risk populations, key risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs for suicide.
Recall validated screening tools for suicide risk, including their key components and scoring.
Determine at least three evidence-based steps to take when a patient screens positive for suicide risk.
Identify opportunities for interprofessional coordination and collaboration to prevent suicide.
Determine resources and when and how to refer patients for appropriate care based on practice setting.
Recognize legal and ethical considerations related to suicide prevention, screening, and referral.
Outline:
Section 1: Suicide Risk: Scope, Factors, and Warning Signs
The Scope of Suicide Risk
Recognizing Risk Among Your Patients
The Overall Scope
Why This Matters
Suicide Risk Factors
At-Risk Groups
Chronic Illness and Depression
Substance Use Disorders
Veterans and Active-Duty Military
Other Risk Factors
Quick Check
Protective Factors
Suicide Means and Warning Signs
Means of Suicide
Warning Signs in Therapy Sessions
Quick Check
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Ethical Considerations
Legal Considerations
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 2: Screening and Assessing for Suicide Risk
Identifying Risk in an Outpatient Clinic: Kevin
Stay Alert: Every Visit Matters
Healthcare Visits
Myths About Suicide
Depression Screening
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)
Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS-S)
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)
Quick Check
Suicide Risk Screening and Assessment
Screening
Assessment
Quick Check
Chronic Suicide Risk
How to Document
Outpatient Scenario: Return to Kevin
Key Takeaways
Section 3: Referrals to Behavioral Health Professionals
Building and Using Referral Networks
Strategies for Learning About Services Offered
Visiting Referral Sites
Using Resource Tools
Recognizing Risk and Initiating Referrals
Assessing Suicide Risk
When to Refer
Referral Pathways Based on Risk Level
Making the Referral
Supporting the Referral Process
Emergency Situations
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Documentation
Quick Check
Suicide-Specific Behavioral Health Treatment
Safety Plan
Lethal Means Counseling
Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP)
Establishing Organizational Protocols
Staff Education and Roles
Referral Network and Communication Protocols
Emergency Response Plans
Informed Consent and Emergency Planning
Continuity of Care
Team Collaboration
Community Resources
Knowledge Check
Key Takeaways
Section 4: Professional Roles and Interprofessional Collaboration
The Healthcare Team
Role of Nurses
Nurses in Specialized Settings
Role of Providers
Primary Care Providers
ED Providers
Hospital Providers
Quick Check
Role of Behavioral Health Professionals
Schools
Integrated Primary and Behavioral Healthcare
Integrated Care
Care Coordinator
Collaborative Care
Zero Suicide
Knowledge Check
Self-Guided Exercise
Key Takeaways
Section 5: Setting-Specific Considerations
Emergency Department (ED) and Acute Care
Suicide Screening in the ED
Psychiatric Team and Initial Priorities
Medical Examination and Crisis Management
Hospitalization and Boarding
Inpatient Acute Care Units
Quick Check
Skilled Nursing Facility and Home Health
Home Health Case Example: Gerald
Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinics
Screening for Depression and Suicide Risk
Quick Check
Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) Clinics
Screening
OB/GYN Clinic Case Example: Laura
Pediatric Clinics and Schools
Depression in Adolescents
Screening and Assessment
School Case Example: DeRae
Behavioral Health Settings
Key Takeaways
Section 6: Behavioral Health Resources
Resources for Patients
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Other Suicide Prevention Resources
Resources for Veterans
National and State Resources
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
State Resources
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 7: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Writer: Susan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP
Subject Matter Expert: Bridgett Ross, PsyDSusan Almon-Matangos, MS, CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist with over 40 years of experience. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Jacksonville State University and her Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology from The University of Alabama. She has provided care to clients across the lifespan with diverse diagnostic conditions in school, hospital, skilled nursing facility, outpatient clinic, and home health settings. In her previous role as a national clinical director for a contract therapy company, she developed training programs for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology focusing on clinical rehabilitation needs of older adults in post-acute care. Currently, she serves as the Lead Subject Matter Expert Writer for Speech-Language Pathology at Relias, where she leverages her clinical expertise and analysis of published research. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Bridgett Ross, Psy.D. received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Boston College and then her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University. She is a licensed psychologist in California and was in private practice for 13 years treating various issues including trauma, anxiety and mood disorders, grief/loss, and issues around self-concept, identity, and attachment. Having supervised pre-licensed and licensed clinicians, she maintains an interest in professional issues in the field of psychology. Dr. Ross’ training and work history include Children’s Hospital Chadwick Center for Children and Families, Kaiser Permanente, Alvarado Parkway Institute, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, which informed her focus on providing evidence-based trauma treatment to diverse populations.
The target audience for this course is: Basic level Physical Therapist; Basic level Physical Therapist Assistant; Introductory level Occupational Therapist; Introductory level Occupational Therapy Assistant; Introductory level Speech-Language Pathologists; Introductory level Speech-Language Pathology Assistant; in the following settings: Assisted Living Facility, Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORFs), Home Health Agencies, Hospitals: Acute, Rehabilitation Settings, Skilled Nursing Facility.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
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If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
