Course Summary
This course is designed to support behavioral health and medical providers in building a foundational understanding of secure firearm storage counseling in the context of suicide prevention. The training begins with a discussion on the burden of firearm suicides in the United States and Colorado and the reasons by which access to firearms increases suicide risk. From there, the course zeroes in on the critical role providers—including non-behavioral health providers—play in firearm suicide prevention. As attendees move through the course, they will examine why it is important to ask about and provide counseling on secure firearm storage, who should receive this counseling, and what evidence-informed, culturally-competent strategies should be considered for different patients and situations.
After completing the training, attendees will have the awareness and baseline knowledge to begin making basic recommendations about secure firearm storage practices to reduce their patients’ suicide risk. From there, they are encouraged to build their skills and explore more advanced and specialized interventions in the follow-up course (Secure Firearm Storage Counseling for Suicide Prevention 2: How), which provides practical approaches and strategies for engaging in patient-centered counseling that supports meaningful firearm behavior change.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Articulate why it is important to integrate respectful, culturally-competent secure firearm storage counseling for suicide prevention into your clinical practice.
- Determine which patients should receive secure firearm storage counseling for suicide prevention.
- Explore evidence-informed secure firearm storage options and recommendations for suicide prevention with patients.
Learning Audience
This course is designed to help Colorado behavioral health and medical providers support patients at risk of firearm suicide. That being said, the information and materials included may benefit anyone in the healthcare field who engages with patient populations (support staff, administrators, etc.) on a regular basis.
Continuing Education Credits
This course is eligible for Continued Education Units (CEU) upon completion, which are awarded as follows:
- 1 CE credit awarded per (1) hour of completed learning
The University of Colorado is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The University of Colorado maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Questions about CEU credits?
Course Duration
Content Contributors
- Joseph Simonetti, MD, MPH; Director of Education, Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
- Marian Betz, MD, MPH; Founding Director, Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
