UofL symposium designed to help families navigate suicide risk

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – During National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the University of Louisville will offer Sept. 26-28 training called “Navigate: Helping Families Navigate Suicide Risk” at its Shelby Campus.

The training is to provide a better understanding of suicide risk, ways families can support their relatives and tipsheets on how to talk to individuals and families about suicidal dynamics.

UofL suicide-risk specialist Laura Frey will lead the training from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily in Burhans Hall, Room 22A, on UofL’s Shelby Campus, 440 N. Whittington Parkway. The first day will cover an overview of suicide risk and assessment, including managing ongoing suicide risk and determining appropriate response based on risk levels. The other days focus on understanding family factors, including communication, response, dynamics and youth and adult development; and guidelines for moving forward, including family safety planning, tough conversations and family-based treatment.

The UofL Kent School of Social Work’s Center for Family and Community Well-being is offering the training for teachers, counselors, therapists, social workers and others who help people experiencing suicidal tendencies. Up to 18 hours of social work or marriage and family therapy continuing education credit is available for session attendees. The training cost is $350 for all three days or $125 for Sept. 26 only; lunches and light refreshments are included.

Advance registration is encouraged; check here: http://bit.ly/Reg-NAVIGATE. Door registration may be possible at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 26 only.

Frey is a licensed marriage and family therapist and assistant professor in the Kent School’s couple and family therapy program; she has clinical experience providing suicide risk assessments and crisis intervention with people and their families. With American Foundation for Suicide Prevention funding, she researches family dynamics after adolescents try suicide.

For more information, contact Becky Antle at 502-852-2917 or becky.antle@louisville.edu or Laura Frey at 502-852-8794 or laura.frey@louisville.edu.

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EDITORS: Frey’s photo is attached.