Proactive Solutions for Proactive Leaders
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Suicide Awareness and Prevention
August 26, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
This is not a “check box” training – learn skills to save lives at work and home
During this workshop, participants will gain a deeper understanding of suicide by separating myths from facts. Designed specifically for law enforcement, participants will get an overview on police suicide statistics and related mental health conditions, as well as learn about common risk factors and warning sign associated with suicide.
Importantly, this is not designed as a “check box” training – participants will also engage in numerous interactive exercises on how to check in with someone they are concerned about as well as try out resilience skills already being used by police across the country and world.
We all deserve to have positive mental health. That is not selfish – it’s smart and understanding suicide can help participants better look after each other and themselves.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Understand the difference between suicide facts and myths
- An increased understanding of suicide risk factors and warning signs
- Learn how to engage and question someone you are concerned with that might be suicidal
- Become familiar with protective factors to help proactively prevent suicide
Who is your instructor?
Jeff Thompson
Research Scientist in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute
Jeff Thompson, Ph.D., is an adjunct associate research scientist in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He retired recently after serving more than 20 years as a detective in the New York City Police Department (NYPD) where he was their first-ever mental health and wellness coordinator and previously a hostage negotiator.
Dr. Thompson has provided police trainings on resilience, mental health, leadership, suicide pre/postvention, and crisis communication. His trainings have been provided across the world to members from police agencies of all ranks including from the Australian Federal Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Police Department, New Zealand Police, New York City Police Department, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Scotland Police, and the Swedish Police Authority.
Dr. Thompson has also consulted with numerous police agencies and organizations such as The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), the Australia and New Zealand Police Policing Policy Advisory Association (ANZPAA), and the American Association of Suicide Prevention. His work has been published in research journals, books, and other publications such as PsychologyToday.com.