Lecture Series
The SRM Lecture Series is a free, live webinar offered on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 2-3pm EST. The lectures are designed for providers working with Veterans at risk for suicide. They cover a broad range of suicide prevention topics including best practices in suicide risk assessment, risk stratification, culturally competent suicide prevention interventions, and postvention practices.
Looking Ahead to Future Lectures
- July: Dr. Lauren Borges will be presenting on strategies to address Therapy Interfering Behaviors in Suicide Assessment and Management.
The upcoming lectures are listed below. If you wish to view all of the webinars or specific lectures based on month, year or availability of recorded sessions, use the options below to filter the content as desired.
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Suicide Prevention and End of Life
June 8, 2022 2:00 ET
Pamela Steadman-Wood, PhD, ABPP and Kristen Dillon, PsyD, ABPP
This live, knowledge-based webinar for healthcare teams will cover suicidality at end of life. This webinar will discuss the unique issues of desire for hastened death and suicidality at end of life. Participants will learn the differences between desire for hastened death and suicidality. Contributing and risk factors for both suicidality and desire for hastened death will be discussed. Participants will discuss practical approaches to risk assessment and interventions in the context of end of life.
Dr. Steadman-Wood is a board certified Geropsychologist. She is Chief of General Outpatient Mental Services at the Providence VA Medical Center and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University's Alpert Medical School. Her primary areas of interest are in the development and implementation of integrated geriatric behavioral health programs, geropsychology training and evidence-based psychotherapy competency training.
Dr. Dillon is a board certified Geropsychologist practicing in Hospice and Palliative Care at VA Bedford. She is the Geriatric Mental Health Champion for VISN 1. She provides care to Veterans and families in hospice, serves as a member of the palliative care consult team, manages the bereavement program and facilitates the hospice and palliative care rotation for psychology trainees.
Suicide Prevention among those with Neurologic Conditions
May 11, 2022 2:00 ET
Lisa Brenner, PhD
Individuals with a history of neurologic conditions (e.g., stroke, TBI, ALS) have been identified as being at an increased risk for suicide. Data regarding risk, as well as factors associated with risk will be presented, as well as information regarding most prevalent mechanisms of suicide death. Strategies for intervention with these high risk cohorts will also be discussed.
This month, Dr. Lisa Brenner, Director of the Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) will discuss suicide prevention and intervention strategies for those with neurologic conditions.
Self-Directed Violence Classification System (SDVCS)
April 13, 2022 2:00 ET
Ryan Holliday, PhD
Understanding and classifying suicidal thoughts and behaviors remains a challenge. In particular, misclassification can impact clinical care and surveillance which can result in decreased understanding of the issue and appropriate treatment considerations and planning. As such, utilization of a standard nomenclature (i.e., the Suicidal Self-Directed Violence Classification System [SDVCS]), developed by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) addresses such an issue. Understanding and utilization of the SDVCS is integral for several reasons. First, SDVCS allows for classification of self-directed violent thoughts and behaviors in an atheoretical, unbiased capacity. Additionally, classification is comprehensive and only falls into a single thought/behavior. Finally, classification utilizing the SDVCS is presently required within VHA.
Dr. Holliday is a Clinical Research Psychologist at the Rocky Mountain MIRECC Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention and an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. His clinical and research interests focus upon understanding the intersection of trauma, psychosocial stressors and mental health. He is further interested in translating these findings into evidence-based practice.
Recommendations for Postvention Processing Sessions
March 9, 2022 2:00 ET
Suzanne McGarity, PhD, and Christie Machan, LCSW
Losing a patient to suicide can be emotionally taxing — both professionally and personally. Postvention services provide comprehensive support to help providers heal and cope following the loss of a patient.
This month, SRM consultants Christie Machan and Dr. Suzanne McGarity will illustrate how to effectively conduct postvention processing sessions for providers.
Suicide Risk Management for Rural Native Veterans
February 9, 2022 2:00 ET
Jay Shore, MD, MPH
Rural Native Veterans often experience disparate mental health outcomes due to military service.
This month, Dr. Jay Shore will present common mental health issues and how to provide mental health care to Rural Native Veterans including approaches in suicide risk management.
The Role of Psychosocial and Vocational Rehabilitation in Suicide Prevention
January 12, 2022 2:00 ET
Shana Bakken, PhD, CRC, Dan Bradford, MD, MPH and Timothy Smith, PhD
Psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation programs and resources can promote recovery and reduce the risk of suicide among Veterans.
This month, a panel of presenters (Bakken, Bradford and Smith) will discuss the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Services Section of the VHA's Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and how these programs include a prominent suicide prevention component.
Suicide Prevention for Veterans with Disabilities
December 8, 2021 2:00 ET
Erin Andrews, PsyD, ABPP
Disability is often portrayed through the medical model as an individual problem rather than as a diverse social, political, and cultural experience.
This month, attendees will increase their awareness of the cultural aspects of disability, how these factors contribute to suicide risk among Veterans with disabilities, and learn to identify and challenge their own disability biases.
Understanding and Navigating Elevated Suicide Risk when Working with Justice-Involved Veterans
November 10, 2021 2:00 ET
Ryan Holliday, PhD; Matthew Stimmel, PhD; Katharine Stewart, LCSW; Alisha Desai, PhD
Veterans may experience difficulty readjusting to civilian life and have difficultly managing mental health issues, injuries, or trauma that may result in Veteran involvement in the criminal justice system.
Research indicates that justice-involved Veterans may face various psychosocial stressors which can increase their risk for suicide.
This month, a panel of presenters (Holliday, Stimmel, Stewart and Desai) will discuss how to navigate elevated suicide risk when working with justice-involved Veterans.
Suicide Risk and Prevention for Sexual and Gender Minority Populations
October 13, 2021 2:00 ET
John Blosnich, PhD, MPH
Recent research shows people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender experience high disparities in suicidal ideation and attempt. This month, John Blosnich, PhD, MPH will discuss suicide risk and prevention for sexual and gender minority populations. Understanding and considering the social environmental context of risk and protective factors for these populations is key to developing public health approaches to suicide prevention.
Supporting the Wellbeing of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Providers in the Context of COVID
September 8, 2021 2:00 ET
Patricia Watson, PhD
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented, stressful environments for mental health professionals. This month, Patricia Watson, PhD, will review how providers can increase self-care and peer support using a flexible, evidence-informed framework. Dr. Watson will discuss ways to identify common stress reactions and risk factors for mental health and health care providers responding to extended public health crises, describe strategies for engaging in self-care and peer support and explain the core components of an evidence-based peer support intervention.
Targeting Suicidal Behavior in the Context of Moral Injury
August 11, 2021 2:00 ET
Lauren Borges, PhD
During this month's lecture, Lauren Borges, PhD, will discuss how clinicians and health care teams can conceptualize and effectively target suicidal behavior in the context of moral injury. Following the webinar, clinicians and health care teams will be able to describe a conceptual model of moral injury and suicide risk, discuss Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Moral Injury (ACT-MI) as an approach to targeting moral injury and suicidal behavior and discuss the results of a case study where ACT-MI was applied to moral injury and suicidal behavior.
Emergency Department Care Plans
July 14, 2021 2:00 ET
Rebecca Collins, LCSW
Rebecca Collins, LCSW, will provide an overview of ED care plans and how they can help ensure Veterans receive appropriate care to meet their invidual needs, including mental health and social needs. Ms. Collins will also discuss how creative communication methods help Veteran care teams identify recommendations for working with specific Veterans.
Neurocognitive Disorders and Suicide
June 9, 2021 2:00 ET
Joleen Sussman, PhD and Kelly Soberay, MA
Dr. Joleen Sussman and Kelly Soberay will present effective suicide prevention interventions for persons with dementia and their loved ones. They will discuss appropriate resources and education for persons with neurocognitive disorders and their caregivers.
Preventing Suicide Among Women Veterans: Research Findings to Inform Gender-Sensitive Care
May 12, 2021 2:00 ET
Claire Hoffmire, PhD and Lindsey Monteith, PhD
Dr. Claire Hoffmire and Dr. Lindsey Monteith will present considerations for a gender-sensitive approach to suicide risk assessment and intervention with women Veterans. They will discuss findings that indicate there are important gender differences in Veterans' risk factors for suicide, including access to lethal means (e.g., firearms).
Responding to Suicidal Ideation or Self-harm from a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Perspective
April 14, 2021 2:00 ET
Laura Meyers, PhD, ABPP
Dr. Laura Meyers will review how to treat suicidal ideation and self-harm from a DBT perspective. Following this live, knowledge-based virtual training, clinicians and health care teams will be able to: identify how to effectively respond to suicidal statements from a DBT perspective, define the difference between "operant" and "respondent" behaviors and discuss the pros and cons of hospitalization.
Coordinating Across All Levels of the Continuum of Mental Health Care: The Role of VCL with Each of You
March 10, 2021 2:00 ET
Dr. Lisa Kearney
This month's SRM lecture will highlight the elevated risk of suicide in the Veteran population and the importance of engagement services after a call to VCL as a method of suicide prevention.
Involving Family and Loved Ones in Suicide Prevention Efforts
February 10, 2021 2:00 ET
Drs. Kathryn Barrs, PsyD and Barbara Dausch, PhD
This month's SRM lecture will discuss how to clinically involve loved ones in the prevention of suicide for individuals at increased risk. Presenters will also share available resources in VA and the community to support Veterans and their loved ones.
TBI, Suicide, and Evidence-Informed Intervention Strategies
January 13, 2021 2:00 ET
Dr. Lisa Brenner, Director, VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center
This month's SRM lecture is presented by Dr. Lisa Brenner the factors that lead to increased risk of suicide in Veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and discuss evidence-informed intervention strategies that must be implemented to address risk and prevent suicide.
Treating PTSD in the Context of Suicidality
December 9, 2020 2:00 ET
Drs. Sadie Larsen, PhD and Lisa-Ann Cuccurullo, PsyD
In this month's SRM lecture, Drs. Larsen and Cuccurullo review evidence of how suicidality is affected by trauma-focused treatments, discuss when to provide trauma-focused treatments in the context of suicidality, and how to successfully manage both in treatment.
Understanding and Addressing Suicide Among Homeless and At-Risk Veterans
November 18, 2020 2:00 ET
Drs. Ryan Holliday and Jillian Weber and Mr. Shawn Liu, LCSW
In this month's SRM lecture, Drs. Holliday and Weber and Mr. Liu review risk factors and discuss best practices for assessment and intervention specific to the homeless Veteran population.
Welfare Checks and Therapeutic Risk Management
October 14, 2020 2:00 ET
Hal Wortzel, MD and Edgar Villareal, PhD
This month's SRM lecture will apply the principle of therapeutic risk management as a patient-centered approach to scenarios prompting consideration for welfare checks.
Providers Working in Suicide Prevention: Personal Perspectives on Self-Care, Sustainability and Post-Traumatic Growth
September 9, 2020 2:00 ET
Monireh Moghadam, LCSW and TJay Wiechman, RN
This month's SRM lecture will focus on the importance of self-care and sustainability for providers and healthcare teams who work with individuals who are at higher risk for suicide. Listen as one presenter reflects on the experience of post-traumatic growth, recovery, and healing in the wake of a colleague's death by suicide.
Suicide Postvention
August 12, 2020 2:00 ET
Dr. Sarra Nazem
This month's SRM lecture is presented by Dr. Sarra Nazem who will discuss suicide postvention, the organized response that occurs after a suicide loss and is an essential element of a comprehensive suicide prevention approach. By providing immediate and ongoing support to those impacted by a suicide loss, suicide postvention policies and practices serve an important function in reducing risk and promoting healing after suicide. Despite its importance, many providers report a lack of suicide postvention education and awareness.
A Patient-Centered Approach to Lethal Means Safety with Veterans
July 8, 2020 2:00 ET
Dr. Ryan Holliday & Dr. Lindsey Monteith
This month's SRM lecture is presented by Dr. Ryan Holliday and Dr. Lindsey Monteith who will discuss Lethal Means Safety (LMS) — a strategy for preventing suicidal self-directed violence by reducing access to lethal means (e.g., excess medication, firearms) when suicide risk is elevated. The training will provide guidance on how to apply a patient-centered approach to assess lethal means access, particularly with Veterans.
Using Chain Analysis to Assess and Intervene on Suicidal Ideation and Behavior
June 10, 2020 2:00 ET
Dr. Sean Barnes & Dr. Lauren Borges
This month's SRM lecture is presented by Dr. Sean Barnes and Dr. Lauren Borges who will discuss using chain analysis as a critical strategy for therapeutic risk management of suicidal ideation and behavior. The focus will be on the purpose of chain analysis and discovering new strategies for intervening on suicidal ideation and behavior, the impact of positive and negative reinforcement, and how to apply the components of the chain as an intervention strategy.
Safety Planning — Basics and Beyond
May 13, 2020 2:00 ET
Dr. Megan Harvey & Dr. Suzanne McGarity
This month's SRM Lecture is presented by Drs. Harvey and McGarity who will discuss the important role of safety planning as an essential tool in suicide prevention efforts. The focus will be on the basics and reasons for safety planning, the concept of the suicide risk curve, and how best to meet the needs of Veterans in unique circumstances.
Why Suicide Risk Assessment Matters
April 8, 2020 2:00 ET
Dr. Bridget Matarazzo & Dr. Hal Wortzel
The inaugural SRM Lecture is presented by Drs. Matarazzo and Wortzel who will discuss the necessary role of suicide risk assessment in mental health practice. The focus will be on therapeutic risk management, a patient-centered model, that will ensure optimal care for Veterans.
