7b. September 13, 2024 PM: Lethal Means Safety Training for Suicide Prevention (VIRTUAL)

Friday, September 13, 2024
1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Pre-register by September 6, 2024

This is a virtual course, and will take place over Zoom.

A link to this virtual course will be sent one week prior to the event.

3 CEHs

$30.00 SLU Alumni and pre-registered SLU practicum instructors

$50.00 All others

Course Description
Presenter: Monica Matthieu, PhD, LCSW

Title: Lethal Means Safety Training for Suicide Prevention 
*Meets Suicide Requirement 

Objectives: 
• Assess the types of lethal means and best practice approaches to mitigating risk. 
• Describe the elements of a patient centered approach to promoting safety behaviors. 
• Practice talking to clients about the safe storage of lethal means such as firearms and poisons.

Course Description: Lethal means are objects that may be used by individuals experiencing a suicidal crisis. They include things like guns, medications, alcohol, opioids, other substances, ropes, cords, or sharp objects. If an individual is in crisis or is having suicidal thoughts, these items can become deadly if easily accessible. Increasing the time and distance between a person in suicidal crisis and their access to lethal means can reduce suicide risk and save lives. This session will provide an overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Keep It Secure program which promotes awareness about the simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Attendees will also learn and practice skills for Lethal Means Safety Counseling (LMSC) a patient-centered approach to promoting safety behaviors by aligning evidence-based recommendations with patients’ preferences and values. 

Bio: Monica M. Matthieu Ph.D., LCSW is Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Saint Louis University and is a Research Social Worker for the Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care System, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  

Dr. Matthieu is engaged in research and program evaluation related to VA’s national suicide prevention program, implementation of trauma treatment in the VA, and improving assessment, intervention, and referral to treatment for individuals at risk for suicide in social service and health care settings in the St Louis metro area.