Webinar: Suicide Prevention: Educating Military Families
August 6, 2009
Speakers: Kim Ruocco, MSW and Carla Stumpf-Patton, M.A., P.M.H.C., I.M.H.C., C.T.
With Special Guest: Sergeant Burtan LaFleur, USMC
Program Moderator: Jill Harrington LaMorie, MSW, LSW, ACSW, Director, Professional Education, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
Kim Ruocco, MSW has been a social worker for over 19 years providing mental health services in various settings both in the military and civilian communities. Her husband, Major John Ruocco, U.S. Marine Corps, was a decorated Cobra gunship pilot and father of two sons. In 2005, Major Ruocco had returned from a tour in Iraq and ten weeks later was preparing for a second tour when he lost his life to suicide. Kim is currently the Manager for Suicide Survivor Support, Education and Outreach Programs at The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. In this capacity, with professional skill and personal dedication, Kim provides suicide prevention and postvention programs to military families and personnel throughout the country.
Carla Stumpf-Patton, M.A., I.M.H.C., C.T was 9 months pregnant in 1994, with her first child when her husband, Drill Instructor Sgt. Rich Stumpf, U.S. Marine Corps, a 24 year-old Gulf War veteran, and her high school sweetheart, died by a public, self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Now completing her doctorate studies in Counseling Psychology, Carla has spent the past 15 years tirelessly dedicated to suicide prevention efforts, focusing on suicide in the military and among veterans. She facilitates a monthly support group for survivors of suicide loss, is active with AFSP’s Sarasota Sun Coast Florida Chapter and is a member of the TAPS suicide outreach and education program. Ms. Ruocco and Ms. Stumpf-Patton bring to this presentation unique perspectives as survivors of military suicide loss as well as being experienced mental health professionals.
GOAL
The goal of this activity is to teach professionals how to identify risk factors, protective factors and warning signs for suicide, provide a unique understanding of suicide assessment and prevention measures from the perspectives of survivors as well as identify actions to implement when a military service member is suicidal.
TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity is intended for all professional caregivers providing services to grieving families and includes, but is not limited to chaplains, casualty assistance officers, social workers, nurses, counselors, marriage and family therapists, case managers, employee assistance professionals, school counselors, program directors, and other health and mental health professionals.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Improve understanding of mental health factors, behaviors, risk factors, protective factors and warning signs of suicide.
- Provide a unique understanding of suicide risk assessment and prevention measures from the perspectives and insights of survivors who have lost a loved one to suicide in the military as well as those in the military who have attempted suicide.
- Identify actions to implement when a military service member is suicidal.
CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION FOR SOCIAL WORKERS, NURSES AND CHAPLAINS
Certificates of Attendance can be provided for those who attend the entire webinar. The Association of Professional Chaplains will accept certificates of attendance for use in reporting continuing education hours. This program is approved by the National Association of Social Workers, Provider # 886505639, for 1.0 continuing education contact hours. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # CEP15218 , for 1.0 continuing education contact hours. Please check with your state licensing board for professional requirements for continuing education.
For more information, contact education@taps.org