Surviving Suicide Loss: Journey to Healing
Presented by Tonya Sawyer-McGee, DNP, MBA, MSN, BSN, RN, ACNP-BC
This program was recorded on September 30th, 2020
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
The foundational objective of this presentation is to educate the participants on the impact of suicide among those who are survivors of those whom they have lost. This population is defined. To fulfill this objective, the information for this presentation will primarily come from reputable sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and organizations who conduct research and activities centered around suicide prevalence, prevention, and support for those who have attempted and those who have lost someone to suicide. Some statistical data from the World Health Organization and others will be included to describe the latest statistics around suicide.
The second objective of this presentation is to provide background information on survivors of suicide loss that is lacking in global discussion, experiences of those who have encountered loss from suicide. The third and final objective is to provide resources and information that can be used for survivors of suicide loss and next steps for healing. The need for support aimed at this population group is essential and discussed. Information regarding recognition of grief related to this group will be discussed as well as self-care activities as it relates to the impact the suicide on those left to absorb the trauma from this act.
These three objectives will enhance the participants understanding of need for discussion, support, and impact of suicide among survivors of suicide and how to best assist them in getting assistance or connect to community or national resources to prevent delayed grief reactions and lead to healing and acceptance.
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 3.0 CEs for Psychologists or 3.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs.
The foundational objective of this presentation is to educate the participants on the impact of suicide among those who are survivors of those whom they have lost. This population is defined. To fulfill this objective, the information for this presentation will primarily come from reputable sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and organizations who conduct research and activities centered around suicide prevalence, prevention, and support for those who have attempted and those who have lost someone to suicide. Some statistical data from the World Health Organization and others will be included to describe the latest statistics around suicide.
The second objective of this presentation is to provide background information on survivors of suicide loss that is lacking in global discussion, experiences of those who have encountered loss from suicide. The third and final objective is to provide resources and information that can be used for survivors of suicide loss and next steps for healing. The need for support aimed at this population group is essential and discussed. Information regarding recognition of grief related to this group will be discussed as well as self-care activities as it relates to the impact the suicide on those left to absorb the trauma from this act.
These three objectives will enhance the participants understanding of need for discussion, support, and impact of suicide among survivors of suicide and how to best assist them in getting assistance or connect to community or national resources to prevent delayed grief reactions and lead to healing and acceptance.
After attending this introductory-level program, participants will be able to:
1. Identify and discuss statistics related to suicide.
2. Describe the basic reasons behind the occurrence of suicide when it occurs.
3. Define suicide loss survivor.
4. Identify two interventions or resources to support survivors of suicide loss.
This program meets APA’s continuing education Standard 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.
This program meets APA’s continuing education Goal 1: Program is relevant to psychological practice, education, and/or science.
General Admission: $75
The Chicago School Faculty/Staff/Clinical Supervisors: $50
The Chicago School Students/Alumni: $25
(Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Tonya Sawyer-McGee, DNP, MBA, MSN, BSN, RN, ACNP-BC, Associate Dean of Nursing, College of Nursing and Advanced Health Professions, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Dallas Campus. Currently, also practicing as an acute care nurse practitioner in Dallas, TX and is a suicide loss survivor of her son, at age 18 in 2017.
Dr. Sawyer-McGee is a suicide loss survivor and has worked with the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention and volunteered with NAMI and other organizations to increase awareness of suicide, support for suicide survivors, and the need to end the stigma of suicide in the minority community. Dr. Sawyer-McGee is currently a practicing acute care nurse practitioner, who has worked at Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas, Texas, in internal medicine, day surgery, and pre-operative anesthesia. Dr. McGee was the first nurse practitioner and clinician to conduct the preoperative surgical assessments for the opening of Parkland’s outpatient surgery center in 2007. She has been practicing as a nurse and practitioner since 1997 and specializes in medical and acute care of patients.
Dr. McGee has also been a faculty for American Sentinel University, teaching both undergraduate nursing courses and chair for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students. She has also taught at West Coast University Dallas teaching physical assessment and pathophysiology, and managing students in clinical rotations at local Dallas/Ft. Worth hospitals in medical-surgical nursing rotations. Prior to Parkland, Dr. Sawyer-McGee worked as a gastrointestinal oncology nurse practitioner at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. During her time at UT Southwestern, she was also a consultant for Amgen, a pharmaceutical company, a role in which she traveled across Texas educating practitioners, pharmacists, nurses and other medical and allied professionals on the latest treatments for colon cancer. Dr. McGee was the inaugural program director for Abilene Christian University’s online BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice program and is currently the Associate Dean of Nursing at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology College of Nursing and Advanced Health Professions. She also is currently completing a book chapter on pain for the “AACN Core Curriculum for High Acuity, Progressive, and Critical Care Nursing.” Her motto is ‘each one, reach one’ signifying the need to reach those who are contemplating suicide and for survivors of suicide loss.
American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (2020). Suicide rates by age. Retrieved from https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/
American Society of Suicidology (2020). Suicide loss survivors. Retrieved from https://suicidology.org/resources/suicide-loss-survivors/
Harvard Health Publishing (n.d.). Left behind after suicide. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/left-behind-after-suicide
Oltmanns, T. & Emery, R. (2013). Understanding suicide. Retrieved from http://www.survivorsofsuicide.com/understanding.shtml
The Family and Youth Institute (2016). Risk factors for suicide. Retrieved from https://www.thefyi.org/risk-factors-for-suicide-infographic/
The Family and Youth Institute (2016). Risk factors for suicide. Retrieved from https://www.thefyi.org/risk-factors-for-suicide-infographic/
World Health Organization (2019). Suicide facts and figures. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/mental-health/suicide/infographics-suicide.pdf?sfvrsn=1762d200_2
Target Audience: All mental health disciplines
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 3.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 3.0 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.
