Please note: This is the pharmacology version of the course: Suicide Prevention – Inpatient and Outpatient Assessment of Risk, Treatment, and Progress N252C. Click here to take the general version (no pharmacology CEs).

Course Summary

Suicide is a significant cause of death in the United States. The literature on suicidology and large-scale studies conducted over the years suggests that there continue to be high rates of suicide among individuals with mental illness and certain populations and social groups. Key studies and theories on suicidal risk factors and behaviors, including an emphasis on modifiable risk, prevention, and treatment, are raised as important to medical and mental health professionals trained to provide initial and ongoing interventions between multiple inpatient and outpatient settings. The prevalence, risk, and protective factors for suicidal thoughts and actions are discussed.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Overview of Suicide Prevention
  • Suicide Prevalence
  • Theories of Suicidal Behavior
    • Cognitive Stress Diathesis Model
    • Clinical Stress Diathesis Models
    • Neurobiological Stress Diathesis Model
    • Interpersonal Model of Suicidal Behavior
  • Research in Suicidology
    • Key Research Findings
    • Environmental and Biological Basis of Suicide
  • Mental Illness and Risk of Suicide
    • Mood Disorders
    • Schizophrenia and Psychosis
    • Anxiety Disorders
    • Sleep Disorders
    • Trauma-Related Disorders
    • Borderline Personality Disorder
    • Eating Disorders
    • Traumatic Brain Injury
    • Substance Use Disorders
    • Deficits in Emotional Regulation
  • Suicide Risk in Special Populations
    • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People
    • Elderly People
    • Adolescents
    • Unhoused People
    • Incarcerated People
    • Youth in Foster Care
    • Immigrants and Other Cultural/Ethnic Considerations
    • Helping Professionals
  • Suicide Assessment Process
    • Current Presentation of Suicidality
    • Suicidal History
    • Therapeutic Rapport and the Initial Encounter
    • Considerations for Outpatient Treatment
  • Psychopharmacology for Suicidality
    • Lithium
    • Antidepressants
    • Antipsychotics, Ketamine, and Sedative-Hypnotics
  • Psychotherapy Models for Suicide Risk Reduction
    • Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS)
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
    • Alliance-Based Therapy
    • Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS)
  • Summary

Kathryn Brogan, MD

Kathryn Brogan, MD is a physician and board-certified general and child and adolescent psychiatrist. Dr. Brogan graduated from medical school at University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2016. She then completed Psychiatry Residency at Northwestern University and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at University of Utah, graduating in 2021. Dr. Brogan’s special interests and areas of expertise include first break psychosis, bipolar disorder, psychopharmacology, and systems of care. In addition to clinical and academic work, Dr. Brogan is passionate about advocacy, teaching, and physician-led team based care.