Category: Clinical Treatment, Suicide Category: Clinical Treatment, Suicide (show less) Other: Wisconsin Other: Wisconsin (show less)

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Social workers serve clients who present with varying degrees of suicidal ideation. These encounters can be stressful and anxiety provoking. Too often, decisions and actions are guided by liability concerns and fear of litigation, instead of by the client’s unique needs. To provide effective interventions, in a professional and clinically sound manner, social workers need to distinguish chronic from acute suicidality, recognize when the chronic has become acute, and know how to proceed. Thorough and well-documented assessments save lives, promote confidence in one’s competencies to navigate challenging situations, thereby reduce burnout among practitioners.