Telehealth and Suicide Risk in Rural Populations: Assessment and Intervention

Telehealth will extend mental health care services to historically underserved rural areas, where rates of suicide are higher than in urban areas. This presentation will explore clinical, ethical, and legal considerations for using telehealth with rural populations at risk of suicide. First, the presentation will provide an overview of telehealth as an emerging class of interventions with rapidly evolving legal and ethical standards. Historically, stakeholders have shared concerns about treating suicidal clients with telehealth due to the potential challenges of accurate risk assessment and emergency intervention due to physical distance and technology limitations. Second, the presentation will review evidence-based theories of suicide and their application to rural populations. Why do people attempt suicide? What distinguishes suicide ideators from suicide attempters? Why do individuals in rural areas die of suicide at higher rates than in non-rural areas? How can clinicians apply knowledge of risk/protective factors to accurate risk assessment via telehealth? Third, the presentation will review intervention strategies for working with rural clients at risk of suicide via telehealth. These include technology considerations, evidence-based treatments, and considerations for informed consent. Attendees will have an opportunity to apply knowledge to a series of clinical vignettes.

This session is at the intermediate level and is intended for psychologists and other mental health professionals.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify emerging trends in telehealth, including rural mental health care and suicide prevention applications.
2. Explain how evidence-based theories of suicide may be applied to risk assessment with rural populations via telehealth.
3. Explain how clinicians treating rural suicidal clients via telehealth can intervene ethically using knowledge of technology, informed consent, and evidence-based practice.

This session qualifies for 1.5 continuing education credits. You must attend the full program to receive continuing education credit.

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

This program was cosponsored with: APA Committee on Rural Health; Illinois P.A.; National Association of County Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Directors; National Association for Rural Mental Health; Hawaii P.A.; Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy; Southwest Virginia Psychology Doctoral Internship Consortium; Kansas P.A.; Indiana P.A.; Southern Illinois University