Participants will assess for suicide risk by applying Prescriptive play therapy theory, integrated expressive play therapy treatment, and suicide prevention tools. The Centers for Disease Control ranked Suicide the 8th leading cause of death for children 5-11 years old (CDC, 2021a). Play Therapy offers interventions to reach youth with a neuro-sequential developmental approach developed by Dr. Bruce Perry (2009). According to Burgin, E., et al. in 2022, children benefited from Client-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), so CCPT maybe considered efficacious in the treatment of depressive symptoms. This workshop includes populations and how to assist their unique needs.

According to the California Department of Public Health and the CDC, suicides among children, adolescents, and young adults ages 5-24 were 6500 in the United States. (California Dept. of Public Health, Death Statistical Master Files & CDC WONDER Online Database, 2021). This demonstrates the need for workshops to train play therapists and school-based play therapists to address assessment, treatment, and prevention in play therapy. Studies indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with distress, anxiety, fear of contagion, depression, and insomnia in the general population leading to an increase in the mental health crisis. Covid-19 and its variants contributed to the need for play therapy services, particularly for children with suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors. Training play therapists in how to recognize, treat and prevent suicidal behaviors like self-harm, for example, can make a difference in saving lives. Another key aspect of suicide-prevention services is parents, caregivers, and teachers to whom we have an obligation to provide psychoeducation and training to teach skills so they can also be involved in supporting youth in prevention and healing.

Suicidality is a concern in all cultures and communities regardless of race or ethnicity.  This workshop will address issues of diversity by elucidating the unique risks and warning signs for many populations, including vulnerable ones, as well as provide assessments and interventions that are culturally sensitive and aware of the need for diversity.