CNS 562G – Suicide Prevention Seminar

One Hour Elective Credit

Western Seminary, Fall, 2003

Kay C. Bruce, Psy.D.

Associate Professor of Counseling

Ways to Communicate:

Email address: kcbruce@westernseminary.edu Office No. (503) 517-1875

Appointments scheduled by Camille at (503) 517-1856 Pager No. (360) 750-2741

Course Description:

This course will help the student to recognize and assess persons at risk for suicide, and will provide a model for effective suicide intervention. 1 hour elective credit

Course Goals:

1. The student will be stimulated to identify personal attitudes toward suicidal individuals and to explore the impact of such attitudes on suicide intervention.

2. The student will be presented with a model for effective suicide intervention.

3. The student will experience suicide intervention roleplays utilizing the model presented.

4. The student will actively participate in roleplays, demonstrating acquired skills, and will receive group feedback.

5. The student will become familiar with referral resources available in the community.

Course Objectives:

1. Attendance of all workshop sessions.

2. Participation in workshop discussions and roleplays.

3. Completion of reading assignments.

4. Completion of reflection paper due Friday, November 7, 2003. Late penalty one grade per week.

Texts and Major Readings:

*Blauner, S. R. (2002). How I Stayed Alive When My Brain was Trying to Kill Me. N.Y.: Harper Collins

+Demy, T. J. & Stewart, G. P., Eds. (1998). Suicide: A Christian Response. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Pub.

*Quinnett, P. G. (2000). Counseling Suicidal People. Spokane, WA: The QPR Institute

+Quinnett, P. G. (1992). Suicide: The Forever Decision. Spokane, WA: Classic Publishing

(Available as a free download at qprinstitute.com)

* Required reading

+Recommended reading

Course Requirements:

1. Attendance of the workshop in its entirety is essential to receiving credit for this class (14 hours)

2. Reading for familiarity of the above-described texts will provide additional information and resource material. (10 hours)

3. Reflection paper. (9 hours). A four page paper (one inch margins, double-spaced) shall be comprised

of the following:

a. Cover Page including your name, mailing address, and campus box number

b. Page Two exploring how your personal attitudes and spiritual values about suicide may impact

your intervention

c. Page Three describing your understanding of the steps involved in a suicide intervention

d. Page Four drawn from your reading, list the most salient points for a counselor engaging in

a suicide intervention

Attendance and Reading Report

By signing my name to this page, I am hereby affirming that I attended the two-day Suicide Intervention Workshop and that I completed the required reading. Attached to this report is my Reflection Paper demonstrating a working knowledge of the required learning experiences and reading materials.

Signed ________________________________________ Dated _________________

Comments regarding workshop or texts: _____________________________________