Ethical and Clinical Considerations in Suicide Management
$45.00
The proper management of suicide risk in clients is one of the most important skills for clinicians to possess. This training will highlight common ethical principles that relate to our responsibilities in working with suicidal clients, such as autonomy, confidentiality, and informed consent. Case studies will highlight both ethical and unethical approaches to working with suicidal clients and learners will be encouraged to assess these vignettes. The “Gold Standard” list for ethical suicide care will be presented. Areas such as confidentiality, assisted suicide, and clinician liability will be discussed. Learners will reflect on their training and beliefs around suicide to enhance their ethical practice.
Upon completion of training, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of three ethical principles related to supporting suicidal clients.
- Explain proper ethical and clinical guidelines related to suicide.
- Evaluate case studies to identify relevant social work ethics, values, and principles.
- Appraise unique suicide case studies and formulate clinical judgments about best practices.
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Ethics asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Ethics, Clinical, and General Skill Building continuing education training.
Course Instructor: Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW
Recording Date: 10/12/2024
Recorded Live Webinar with downloadable presentation slides and/or handouts, evaluation, and a required quiz. The learner is required to pass with a 70% or higher to achieve the CE certificate of completion. The learner is able to reset the test until a satisfactory score is achieved. CE Training Workshops, LLC, provider #1770, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/2/2022 – 8/2/2025. CE Training Workshops, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE Training Workshops, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device. For more information about our policies and board approval statements, please visit our FAQS page.
Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field.
Ethical and Clinical Considerations in Suicide Management (3HR) Syllabus
I. Clinical Responsibility and Risk Awareness
- Suicide cannot be predicted, but risk can be assessed and managed
- Clinicians must recognize warning signs: hopelessness, recent losses, access to lethal means
- Documentation alone does not absolve liability—assessment and intervention are key
- Case vignette illustrates risks of avoiding direct engagement with suicidal ideation
II. Screening, Assessment, and Safety Planning
- Screening tools include C-SSRS, PHQ-9, SBQ, and BSI
- Assessment must include current and past suicidal behavior, risk/protective factors
- Safety planning is essential and ethically required for clients at elevated risk
- Assessment guides disposition decisions and informs treatment planning
III. Ethical Principles and NASW Guidelines
- Autonomy and informed consent balanced with duty to protect
- Confidentiality can be overridden to prevent imminent harm
- Ethical codes stress competence, cultural awareness, and proactive engagement
- Social workers must avoid abandoning suicidal clients due to discomfort or lack of skill
IV. Malpractice Risk and Legal Expectations
- Standard of care includes comprehensive assessment, documentation, and treatment
- Liability arises from failure to act on known risks or provide adequate care
- Legal responsibility includes preventing harm even if client does not express intent
- Four elements of malpractice: duty, breach, harm, and causation
V. Clinical Case Reflections and Improvement Areas
- Importance of collaborative planning and informed consent about suicide protocols
- Case analysis reveals need for thorough risk assessment and documentation
- Safety planning must include coping strategies, emergency contacts, and restricted access to means
- Use standardized tools to guide and document clinical judgment
VI. Alternatives to No-Suicide Contracts
- No-suicide contracts are not evidence-based and may give a false sense of security
- Commitment to Treatment Statements (CTS) offer a collaborative, proactive alternative
- CTS emphasizes shared responsibility, open communication, and emergency access
- Ethical practice supports maintaining client autonomy while planning for safety
VII. Best Practices and the Gold Standard Approach
- Establish strong therapeutic alliance with transparency about risk management
- Remove or reduce access to lethal means and increase supports
- Clearly define diagnoses and tailor evidence-based interventions
- Ensure all decisions and interventions are thoroughly documented
VIII. Addressing Family and Postvention Support
- Confidentiality extends after client death—follow legal and ethical protocols
- Respond to family with compassion, general information, and referrals
- Avoid dual relationships or therapeutic engagement with bereaved families
- Provide suicide survivor resources and maintain ethical distance
IX. Cultural, Philosophical, and Systemic Considerations
- Personal beliefs about suicide impact clinical decision-making
- Practitioners must uphold ethical and legal standards regardless of personal views
- Suicide involves complex psychosocial dynamics—requires empathy and clinical skill
- Team collaboration, supervision, and consultation are essential for effective practice
X. Resources, Tools, and Continued Learning
- Clinical handouts: Safety Plan, CTS, C-SSRS, SMART Action Plan, Reamer Ethical Steps
- Tools for risk stratification and screening for social determinants
- Resources: Zero Suicide, AFSP, SPRC, SAMHSA guides, training videos, and legal ethics articles
- Commitment to lifelong learning in suicide prevention and ethical practice
