Suicide Postvention

Introduction:

There is a need, when working therapeutically with suicide survivors, for a deeper appreciation of the complicated psychological distress and emotional problems that emerge in the wake of suicide. This distress is not confined to the families, friends and loved ones of the deceased but also impacts profoundly on therapists, health care professionals, first responders and communities, in some cases resulting in early exits from their chosen profession. This four day certificate will help learners to understand and to examine the nature of suicide bereavement and will equip them to support suicide survivors in their healing journey.  It will also help them recognize and understand their own often disenfranchised grief and strengthen their personal and professional resources for working in this area.

Course Content:

In this Certificate, learners will engage with the following topics:

• The Post Suicide Emotional Landscape
• Cultural Perspectives on Suicide
• Suicide and Stigma
• Suicide and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Key principles of Suicide Postvention with Adults
• Postvention as Prevention
• Key debates in the area of Suicide Postvention
• Working with the ‘Blind Spot’ at the core of suicide bereavement
• A Narrative Approach to Healing
• The Tripartite Model of Suicide Bereavement.
• Working with Adolescents bereaved by Suicide
• Working with Children bereaved by Suicide
• Suicide Bereavement and Post Traumatic Growth
• Understanding how suicide impacts on therapists and professional caregivers.
• The importance of self – care and professional support.
• Therapeutic resources and supports available.
• Research Questions in the area of Suicide Postvention.