Assessment and Access to Lethal Means Counseling

June 14, 2023, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Please Register HERE

This presentation will help providers identify opportunities to help families and caregivers create safer environments for youth at risk of suicide.  We will discuss skills for initiating discussion of lethal means safety, identifying available options, and working with resistance.0

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the impact of access to lethal means, on suicide risk and safety for individuals at increased risk for suicide.
2.  Assess participant skills and values related to discussing lethal means safety with youth and families.
3. Identify effective strategies for negotiating lethal means safety with youth and families, as part of a continuum of support for individuals at increased risk of suicide.

Presenter:  Sheila Nelson, MSW, MPH oversees the Adolescent Health and Injury Prevention Program at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Throughout her career, Sheila has worked to support the health and wellbeing of youth, by promoting access to care, positive youth development, and evidence-based prevention interventions. In her current role, Sheila supports suicide prevention training and services across the lifespan, youth engagement and leadership, and the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey. For 10 years, Sheila has overseen Maine CDC’s School Based Health Center program, and provides support and technical assistance to school health providers across the state.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Maine Medical Education Trust and Maine Pediatric & Behavioral Health Partnership.  The Maine medical Education Trust is accredited by the Maine Medical Association Committee on continuing medical Education and Accreditation to provide continuing medical education for physicians.