Screening and Safety Planning with Adults at Risk of IPV and Suicide: An Issue Brief for Clinicians

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based on material published by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center and is available as an open-access article. Intimate partner violence (IPV) and suicide risk are two deeply challenging issues for survivors and clinicians alike. In clinical practice, IPV and suicide risk are often evaluated and addressed as separate challenges, yet survivors of IPV may have suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Given this overlap, and because IPV is also a risk factor for suicide, it is important to address the problems jointly when they co-occur. This issue brief identifies some of the challenges clinicians may encounter when working at the intersection of IPV and suicide risk and offers screening and safety planning strategies to consider when working with adult clients (i.e., patients) experiencing both suicide risk and a history of IPV. This course on strategies for promoting safety with adults at risk of intimate partner violence is designed for clinical social workers, psychologists, professional counselors, nurses, and substance abuse counselors who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their expertise with strategies for promoting safety with adults at risk of intimate partner violence. The course material includes a literature review of interventions. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require continuing clinical education courses for license renewal. The course is based on a journal article that includes research. It contains statistical analysis and data that some clinicians enjoy reading and others do not. A significant benefit of reading peer reviewed research-based articles for continuing education is that they provide practitioners with the latest findings in their field. Authors: Suicide Prevention Resource Center Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding strategies for promoting safety with adults at risk of intimate partner violence. Specifically, a professional will: Identify screening practices for suicide and intimate partner violence. Describe methods for safety planning for individuals experiencing intimate partner violence or suicidal thoughts. Recognize warning signs of suicide. Citation: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Screening and Safety Planning with Adults at Risk of IPV and Suicide: An Issue Brief for Clinicians. Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://store.samhsa.gov.