World Suicide Prevention Day

Dear BHBA community:

I have the honor of promoting a tremendous learning opportunity (CE credit available) that is not to be missed! Dr. David Jobes, Ph.D., ABPP, (click here for his bio) is a renowned clinician, professor, suicidologist and the creator of the evidence-based treatment Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (click here to read about CAMS). He has partnered with the DBT-Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC) to livestream his timely and critical presentation "A Crash Course on Suicide and Suicide Prevention.” The presentation will air on September 10th, 2021 from 12-1pm Eastern Standard Time. September 10th, 2021 is World Suicide Prevention Day (click here to read more about this day from the International Association for Suicide Prevention and how they promote awareness worldwide).

This partnership between Dr. Jobes and DBT-LBC is unprecedented and inspired by the growing and alarming rates of suicide behavior and completion in the United States. Sadly, suicide is already a leading cause of death in the US. This is of grave concern, prompting the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to publish a recent article entitled “The dual pandemic of suicide and COVID-19” (click here for the full article from the NIMH). The NIMH emphasizes that suicide can be treated and is preventable, with early detection. Increased awareness can lead to early detection, so we are doing our part here at BHBA by posting a series of newsletters on suicide and the treatment for suicide in and around the month of September and have the honor of promoting this webinar to anyone who is interested.

A newsletter will come soon with information on how you can register and how to obtain a CE credit for this course if you qualify. Please note that 100% of your registration cost ($30) will be directed to support DBT-LBC, a non-profit and mostly volunteer agency, whose members tirelessly work to educate, promote awareness of standardized DBT treatment for suicide, and increase affordability and availability of standardized DBT, including trying to make inroads at the state legislative level. DBT-LBC also provides scholarships to clinicians, agencies and programs needing help with certification costs. I have the honor and privilege of being a volunteer for this organization and can attest to how value and mission-driven they are.

As you all know, there are decades of research proving DBT as a gold standard treatment for those struggling with chronic suicidal thoughts, feelings and behaviors for all ages. Still, affordable and standardized DBT is hard to find. The sad reality is that there are not enough therapists providing comprehensive and standardized DBT. DBT-LBC, the certifying body, exists for this purpose. Please click here to see their website to learn more about DBT-LBC.

As always, please email me with any thoughts and questions to drbellet@bhbehavioralassociates.com.