David N. Miller, PhD - University at Albany, State University of New York

School-Based Suicide Risk Assessment of Children and Adolescents (93 minutes) LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Identify prominent risk factors and warning signs for youth suicidal behavior. 2. Identify variables that contribute to the transition from suicidal ideation to more severe forms of suicidal behavior. 3. Identify procedures for effectively conducting individual suicide risk interviews with children and adolescents and linking assessment to effective intervention. ABSTRACT: Suicide is a major public health problem and a leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the U.S. In part because of the extensive time children and adolescents spend in schools, school mental health professionals (SMHPs) frequently are called upon to conduct suicide risk assessments. Unfortunately, many SMHPs report that they are not adequately prepared to conduct these assessments. The purpose of this intermediate-level webinar is to provide an overview of school-based suicide risk assessment, including identifying risk factors and possible warning signs of youth suicidal behavior, understanding the suicide ideation-to-action model of suicide and its implications for risk assessment, and the benefits and challenges of universal screening measures. A primary focus of the webinar will be on conducting effective child and adolescent interviews, determining suicide risk level based on interviews, and providing appropriate interventions for at-risk youth. BIOGRAPHY: David N. Miller, Ph.D., is professor of School Psychology at the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY-Albany). He is the author of numerous publications in youth suicidal behavior and mental health, including the recent book Child and Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: School-Based Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention, Second Edition (2021). A scientific advisor for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and a past president of the American Association of Suicidology, he was an invited expert reviewer for the national documents After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools (2018), Preventing Suicide: The Role of High School Mental Health Providers (2019), and the Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention (2019). Prior to his current academic position, he was a practicing school psychologist and has extensive experience conducting suicide risk assessments in schools. USER RATINGS: American Psychological Association (APA) Buros Center for Testing is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Buros Center for Testing maintains responsibility for this program and its content. National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Buros Center for Testing is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Buros Center for Testing maintains responsibility for this program and its content. (Provider #1113) New York State Education Department (NYSED) Buros Center for Testing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0187. There is no known commercial support for this program. INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLEMENTS PROVIDED WHEN PURCHASED FOR A COURSE: PowerPoint slides References/additional readings Comprehension quiz with answer key Discussion questions Timestamps for presentation content For a brief preview of this video, click link below.