Working with First Responders and their Families:
Suicidality, Prevention, and Postvention
Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM / 4 CEU’s / $15 Registration Fee / Live Webinar
Presenters: Amy Davenport Dakin, LCPC, LCMHC and Justin Robash, Career Firefighter/AEMT
Suicide ranks as the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, with rates of suicidal ideation, attempts, and completed suicides disproportionately higher among first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Research indicates that law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and EMS providers are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general public.
Given these alarming statistics, it is vital for professionals in the behavioral health field and caretaking professions to be equipped with the culturally competent skills necessary to effectively address the unique needs of first responders. This training aims to enhance your understanding of the dynamics influencing the mental health of first responders, the risky behaviors prevalent in this population, the relevant theories of suicide, and how to support first responders and their families impacted by a completed suicide.
Training Goal: To provide participants with specialized knowledge, culturally competent skills, and clinical attitudes necessary to effectively assess, treat, and support first responders experiencing suicide risk, and to consult effectively following a suicide event impacting this population.
Learning Objectives:
Participants who successfully complete this webinar will:
- Analyze how unique occupational stressors and cultural elements within the first responder community influence clinical presentation, treatment engagement, and suicide risk.
- Identify protective factors specific to first responders and discuss strategies for leveraging these factors therapeutically to enhance resilience and mitigate suicide risk.
- Explore evidence-based therapeutic approaches for treating complicated grief and trauma resulting from suicide loss in first responders.
Who Should Attend:
Anyone involved in the support and treatment of first responders is encouraged to join.
DETAILS:
- The $15 registration fee includes webinar attendance and 4 hours of continuing education credits that will be emailed within 5 business days of the class.
- Attendees must have video and audio capability.
- Participation and discussion are encouraged.
- Please do not drive or ride in a car during this workshop.
- Please do not work, multitask, or take phone calls during this webinar.
- Be present. Participate
- This is a live, online event held in Zoom Meeting. There will be no recording to view later.