About the webinar

Responding to sudden client disclosures that point to potential suicidality is a frequent and challenging task for practitioners across all clinical settings. This essential webinar equips you with the crucial concept of 'worker preparedness' and the resourceful responses necessary to provide appropriate safety and support when a client suddenly reveals they are 'not ok'.

The training is led by leading suicidology expert Jacinta Hawgood and co-facilitated by PhD candidate Martina McGrath, who provides the valuable perspective of lived experience. The session focuses on strategies to address disclosures that occur unexpectedly, even late in a session, helping you increase your comfort, confidence, and reduce the fear and anxiety that commonly arise in this context.

Secure your registration to master the key practices for responding effectively to suicidality disclosures, ensuring you provide timely and appropriate support while managing your own professional response. 

Learning outcomes

Participating in this online professional training will enable you to:

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of 'worker preparedness' and its importance when responding to suicidality disclosures.
• Master resourceful responses and key actions for providing appropriate safety and support to a client who discloses they are 'not ok'.
• Gain critical insights into client disclosures, even when they occur late in a session or after earlier questioning.
• Increase your professional comfort and confidence in managing disclosures, reducing the common feelings of fear and anxiety in this context.

Who should attend

This webinar is highly relevant for all professionals who may receive unexpected disclosures related to potential suicidality or psychological distress in their practice.

The target audience includes:

• Counsellors and Family Therapists
• Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists
• Social Workers and Case Managers
• Mental Health and Allied Health Professionals
• Clinical Supervisors and Trainers
• Community Organisation Workers and Crisis Support Staff

About the presenters

The webinar is led by a leading expert in suicidology and features a co-facilitator providing the lived experience perspective:

Jacinta Hawgood (BSSc, BPsy(Hons), MClinPsy (MAPS, MCCLP)) – Senior Lecturer and Program Director of Suicidology at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University, where she has worked for over 20 years. She is the lead author of the renowned Systematic Tailored Assessment for Responding to Suicidality (STARS) interview protocol and provides expert advice to government and private organisations.

Martina McGrath – PhD candidate in suicide risk assessment and co-facilitator who brings a vital voice of lived experience to the discussion, ensuring the session is informed by practical realities and compassionate understanding. 

Purchase access

Use the purchase button to process your payment through our secure gateway. As soon as your purchase is complete, we’ll email you the details for immediate access to the recording within our Moodle Learning Management System.

System requirements for online training

To ensure you can participate in this webinar, please have access to the following:

• Desktop or laptop computer
• A reliable, stable internet connection
• Working microphone and speakers
• Webcam (either built-in or external to your computer)
• Headphones (recommended for optimal audio clarity)

Contact us

For further details or questions, please contact our Centre for Learning and Innovation:

Phone: (03) 8573 2222

Email: [email protected]