Talking About Suicide: Empowering Healthcare Providers, Instilling Hope in Clients
This course is offered in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC).
This course is available in both English and French. For the French page, please click here.
Course Description
Suicide is a complex and deeply impactful issue. As healthcare providers, you encounter diverse groups of people every day—from all different backgrounds, at different points in their lives, and with multifaceted medical issues to consider. Undeniably, there is one topic that permeates across every population and can be one of the most difficult topics we encounter: suicide. Yet, talking about suicide with clients can feel challenging, and at times, isolating.
By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to build trust with clients at risk of suicide, engage in meaningful conversations about suicide, assess risk factors, implement safety planning best practices, and provide appropriate support. You will return to your healthcare setting with a greater understanding of the complexity of suicide in Canada and recognize the shared responsibility of healthcare providers in both addressing suicide and instilling hope in clients.
This course is intended for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals and health team members. Most of the content will be applicable to all healthcare providers who directly engage with clients as part of their practice.
Why Take This Course?
- Applicable to your daily practice for immediate results
- Interactive and engaging – using reality-based scenarios, videos from suicide survivors, curated resources, and reflective opportunities throughout
- Learn at your own pace in a fully online and completely asynchronous environment
- Relevant and practical learning applicable for healthcare providers across Canada and in different communities (e.g., urban, suburban, remote, rural)
- Can complete in as little as 3 hours
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is designed for all healthcare professionals, including those in clinical, mental health, allied health, leadership, and peer support roles. If your work involves client interactions—directly or indirectly—this training will help you foster safety, connection, and hope.
- Primary and acute care providers
- Nursing and allied health
- Mental health and counselling services
- Peer and community support
- Healthcare leadership and administration
- Students and emerging professionals
Accreditation & Certification
This course is currently under accreditation review and when approved will receive accreditation from
- The College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 4 Mainpro+ Credit(s).
- The Canadian Nurses Association for up to 2 credit hours.
- There are no application prerequisites for this course
- Approximately 3-4 hours
- Take up to 3 months to complete, at your own pace
This course is free and offered at no cost.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, you will:
- Practice building trust with clients at risk of suicide and gain the confidence needed to have a conversation with them about suicide
- Comprehend the complexity of suicide and its prevalence in Canada
- Identify common suicide risk factors and protective factors
- Employ tools, resources, and strategies to evaluate and respond to suicide risk among clients in your healthcare setting and to offer appropriate support
- Implement safety planning best practices for clients experiencing thoughts of suicide
- Recognize the responsibility of healthcare providers as individuals and as a team in talking about suicide and instilling hope in clients
Topics
- Understanding suicide
- Moving beyond the fear of suicide
- Building a trusting therapeutic relationship
- Assessing suicide risk
- Responding appropriately
- Planning for safety
- Helping to break the cycle
Course Quick FAQ
- What will I achieve at the completion of this course?
At the end of this course, you will receive a certificate from CHA Learning.
Dismantling Structural Stigma in Healthcare
in Conversation with Dr. Javeed Sukhera
Structural stigma impacts our ability to provide high-quality, equitable care and service, across all parts of the health system. So, why does it persist – and why does it persist in our healthcare organizations and systems? What is getting in the way of equitable care and unbiased treatment for all? Listen to our conversation with Dr. Javeed Sukhera find out!
Free to Enrol
The Talking About Suicide: Empowering Healthcare Providers, Instilling Hope in Clients eLearning course is a free, self-paced micro-course designed for all healthcare professionals. In just three hours or less, gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate critical conversations about suicide, support those in crisis, and foster hope in your healthcare setting.
Enrol for free today!
Related Programs and Courses
Mental Health Structural Stigma in Healthcare eLearning Course
Why Choose CHA Learning
With over 70 years of history as a healthcare non-profit, online learning is all we do. Tens of thousands of professionals have graduated from our programs and gone on to positively impact the health system. Our healthcare experts and faculty coaches are industry leaders. Our team provides exceptional support and truly cares about your success. Learn more about us.
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