Caring for Caregivers Who Support Suicidal Loved Ones

This class introduces a 3-step Suicide Caregiver Support Model that gives providers a framework for how to work with caregivers of persons who thinking about suicide The process starts with helping caregivers prepare their care approach by reflecting on their own personal experiences and beliefs. Next, caregivers are equipped with skills and resources to support their loved ones. Lastly, discussions around how to implement a self-care plan, including setting limits, help caregivers sustain their own wellness. Participants will learn practical tools to implement each step of this holistic model. Challenges to working with caregivers will also be explored. Upon completion of this class, social workers will be equipped with tools to support suicide caregivers in both community and individual settings. This class is designed to guide experienced providers in expanding existing interventions to include family members and caregivers when caring for individuals who are thinking about suicide. Participants in a wide range of practice setting may benefit from learning this framework for their practice.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Social workers who take this class will be able to:

1. Examine the unique needs of suicide caregivers in their supportive roles.
2. Describe the components of the Suicide Caregiver Support Model and its research basis.
3. Integrate practical tools and strategies to involve suicide caregivers in their everday work. 
4. Describe potential challenges in implementing caregiver support and formulate solutions at an individual, agency, and community level.

Johanna Louie, LMSW

Johanna Louie, LMSW is a co-founder of Suicide Is Different, a first of its kind support program for caregivers of individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts. Her career in suicide prevention started in 2013 as a crisis line counselor. Since then, she has worked at various crisis centers and health agencies in both clinical and management roles. Her ultimate mission is to build supportive programs and practical tools to care for caregivers utilizing her interdisciplinary experiences. Johanna holds a MS in Human Behavior from the University of Southern California and a MS in Social Work from Columbia University.

Class fees are listed below:

• Full Tuition - $90
• GSS Alumni - $75
• Current Field Instructor - $75
• Current Adjunct Faculty - $75
• SWHPN Member - $75
• 3+ members registering from one agency - $60 per registration
• Non-Fordham Current MSW or Social Work PhD Student - $60
• Veterans - $60
• Fordham Faculty and Staff - $60
• Current Fordham MSW or PhD Student - $45
• Fordham Alumni Palliative Care Fellow - $45
• Current Fordham Palliative Care Fellowship Field Instructor/Career Mentor - $45
• Current Fordham Palliative Care Fellow or Montefiore Fellow - $0

Continuing Education Hours

Completion of this class will result in the receipt of three (3) continuing education hours. CEHs are not awarded for partial completion of the class.

You will receive the Zoom link for joining the class by the day before the class. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE LINK BY THIS TIME, PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER. 

You will need a computer and a reliable WiFi connection. The computer may be a desktop or a laptop. It may be an Apple or Windows computer.

If you have never used Zoom before, you will likely be prompted to download an applet, which is a small program that allows Zoom to communicate with your computer. This is safe and you will need to do this to join the class.

It is NOT advised that you participate using a table (e.g., an iPad) or a cellular phone. The software is not optimized for these devices.

Please plan to join the online class 15 minutes before the start time to be sure that you don’t have any problems connecting. We cannot provide technical support to you and refunds won’t be offered if you have technical problems. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact us at [email protected] at least a few days before the class.