Time: 12:00PM - 1:30PM Eastern Time

The prevalence of suicide and substance use nationally will be highlighted. Pertinent aspects of screening and assessment of clients to effectively identify those at risk for suicide will be thoroughly reviewed. Identifying a client’s risk status and risk state for suicide, along with the formation and completion of a crisis safety plan, will be highlighted. The link between suicide and substance use will be explored, and the utilization of family and supportive individuals, along with local and national resources, will be discussed. 

Presenter:

Geoffrey David Wilson, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, is a licensed clinical social worker and licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor. He has been practicing in the mental health and substance use treatment fields in Kentucky for over 29 years. He has provided many trainings for different conferences and organizations, including NAADAC, CAPTSASA, the Kentucky School of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies, and the Kentucky Association of Addiction Professionals. Most recently, he has presented for the OK Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services at the 2024 Momentum Conference and the 19th Annual North Carolina Caring Dental Professionals Conference.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify three best practices for screening and assessment to determine the risk level for suicide with clients that have a substance use disorder.
• Participants will be able to identify three ways that substance use can influence suicidal ideation and a suicide attempt.
• Participants will be able to formulate a crisis safety plan for clients that addresses both their substance use and suicidality.