Counselor Training in Suicide Assessment, Prevention, and Management

Suicide claimed the lives of 41,149 individuals in 2013, which is equivalent to 113 suicides a day or one every 13 minutes. Research suggests that with suicide occurring so frequently, mental health professionals are likely to encounter suicidal clients; therefore, professionals must be prepared to address this form of crisis. This article examines mental health professionals’ self-efficacy regarding suicide assessment, intervention, and management and the inadequate preparation in graduate programs. Implications for practitioners in effectively assessing suicidal clients are explored.