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ForwardSuicide Postvention Certificate Program
A 16-week online learning experience focused on suicide postvention, survivor support, and practical response planning.
Course Materials: All course materials will be shared through Google Docs.
Attendance: Full attendance of sessions, and complete final project, in order to receive a certificate. Credit is only awarded for live participation. Viewing the recording at a later date is for educational purposes only and does not qualify for credit.
Instructional Method and Credit/Time Calculation:
- Didactic lecture, large‑group discussion, case examples, and Q&A
CE Credit
- 15.0 APA CE Credits available for attending all sessions
- APA CE credit is calculated based on one credit per 60 minutes of instructional time, excluding breaks.
Psychology CE Credit Statement
The Medical College of Wisconsin is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Medical College of Wisconsin maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
This activity contains content or processes that may be potentially stressful.
MCW's Psychology Continuing Education Grievance Policy MCW OCPD maintains a written grievance policy for continuing education activities. For questions or concerns about this program, please contact [email protected]. Grievances will be reviewed and addressed promptly.
Target Audience
- Social Workers
- Psychologist
Learning Objectives
Course Objectives: By the end of this course, attendees will be able to:
- Define key concepts in suicide prevention and explain the role of postvention in reducing suicide risk.
- Differentiate postvention from other therapeutic approaches and summarize its historical development and research foundations.
- Identify trauma responses and the unique grief experiences of suicide loss survivors, including racial and cultural considerations.
- Demonstrate effective strategies for supporting individuals and communities after a suicide loss.
- Analyze existing postvention guidelines for schools, workplaces, and community settings.
- Develop components of a comprehensive postvention plan, including partnerships, needs assessments, data considerations, and team training.
- Design culturally competent communication and outreach strategies for postvention efforts.
- Create a final project that includes a resource guide and a needs assessment and/or implementation plan for a postvention response.
Week 0 – Introductions and Course Overview
Date: September 1, 2026, at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructors: Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH, and Patricia Monroe, MEd, MA, CHES
Topic: Introductions and Course Overview
Learning Objectives:
- Navigate course technology platforms and requirements outlined in the syllabus
- Articulate the core objectives and expectations of the final course project
Suggested Readings: None
** This session is Not for CE Hours **
Week 1 – Foundations of Suicide and Prevention
Date: September 8, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH
Topic: Suicide and Suicide Prevention
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze current epidemiological trends in suicide.
- Compare major theoretical models of suicidal behavior.
- Describe the role of postvention within the suicide prevention continuum.
Suggested Readings: Aguirre & Slater (2010); Jordan (2017)
Week 2 – Introduction to Postvention
Date: September 15, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Patricia Monroe, MEd, MA, CHES
Topic: Foundations of Postvention
Learning Objectives:
- Define postvention and distinguish it from prevention and intervention strategies.
- Summarize the historical evolution of postvention practice.
Suggested Readings: Gehrmann et al. (2020)
Week 3 – Data-Informed Postvention Practice
Date: September 22, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH
Topic: Using Data to Inform Practice
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key public health data sources relevant to suicide and postvention.
- Apply basic data visualization strategies to communicate findings.
Suggested Readings: Andriessen et al. (2019); Maple et al. (2019)
Week 4 – Community-Level Postvention Needs
Date: September 29, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Patricia Monroe, MEd, MA, CHES
Topic: Postvention in Your Community
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate gaps in current postvention research.
- Assess needs of disproportionately affected populations.
- Synthesize local suicide data into a brief report.
Assignment: One-page county-level suicide data summary
Week 5 – Systems and Data Access
Date: October 6, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH
Topic: Coroners and Medical Examiners
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the CME system and its implications for postvention.
- Review legislation and protocols impacting suicide determination.
- Identify strategies for collaborating with CMEs while supporting families.
Suggested Readings: Goulah-Pabst (2023); Jordan (2020)
Week 6 – Supporting Suicide Loss Survivors
Date: October 13, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Patricia Monroe, MEd, MA, CHES
Topic: Bridge to Heal
Learning Objectives:
- Identify common health outcomes among suicide loss survivors.
- Apply evidence-informed survivor support strategies.
Assignment: Draft a templated data use agreement for local CME/postvention collaboration
Week 7 – Models of Survivor Support
Date: October 20, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Patricia Monroe, MEd, MA, CHES
Topic: Types of Support for Loss Survivors
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between clinical, peer, group, and youth support models.
- Map local grief and postvention resources.
Assignment: Community resource inventory (grief/loss supports)
Suggested Readings: Rivart et al. (2021); Andoh Arthur et al. (2020)
Week 8 – Cultural Considerations in Grief
Date: October 27, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH
Topic: Racial and Ethnic Differences in Grief (Panel)
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze cultural influences on grief and coping.
- Integrate culturally responsive approaches into postvention.
Suggested Readings: Postvention Guidelines (selected sections)
Week 9 – Postvention Guidelines Across Settings
Date: November 3, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH
Topic: Current Postvention Guidelines
Learning Objectives:
- Compare postvention protocols across schools, workplaces, and healthcare settings.
- Evaluate implementation considerations in different environments.
Assignment: None
Week 10 – Building a Postvention Team
Date: November 10, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Patricia Monroe, MEd, MA, CHES
Topic: Developing a Postvention Team
Learning Objectives:
- Develop a framework for partnerships, needs assessment, and training.
- Identify operational components of a postvention response team.
Assignment: Final Project (Part 1): Needs assessment/implementation plan
Week 11 – Communication and Messaging
Date: November 17, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH
Topic: Messaging and Communication
Learning Objectives:
- Apply safe messaging principles across media formats.
- Demonstrate effective communication with bereaved families.
Assignment: Final Project (Part 2): Communication strategy
Week 12 – Sustained Postvention Support
Date: November 24, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Patricia Monroe, MEd, MA, CHES
Topic: Immediate and Long-Term Support
Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between immediate and long-term support needs.
- Incorporate cultural considerations into ongoing care.
Assignment: Final Project (Part 3): Final implementation plan submission
Week 13 – Evaluating the Response
Date: December 1, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH
Topic: After Action Reviews
Learning Objectives:
- Identify core components of an After Action Review (AAR) to evaluate the effectiveness of a postvention response.
- Utilize evaluation data to drive continuous quality improvement and program sustainability.
Assignment: Final Project: Complete portion of needs assessment/implementation plan
Week 14 – Gathering Family Perspectives
Date: December 8, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructor: Patricia Monroe, MEd, MA, CHES
Topic: Next of Kin Interviews
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the role and ethics of next of kin interviews in informing postvention practices.
- Apply standard interview protocols and timelines for engaging with next of kin.
Assignment: Final Project: Complete portion of needs assessment/implementation plan
Week 15 – Final Project Presentations
Date: December 15, 2026 at 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Instructors: Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH; Patricia Monroe, MEd, MA, CHES
Topic: Final Project Presentations
Learning Objectives:
- Deliver a structured presentation demonstrating a comprehensive postvention project.
- Synthesize course concepts to defend strategies, data interpretations, and implementation plans.
Assignment: Final project slides
All Sessions Live via Zoom link: https://mcwedu.zoom.us/j/96015453870?pwd=4xafyefVtovHXQQ29aaLXBPbY1yRZT.1
Planning Committee:
In accordance with the ACCME® Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, Standard 3, all persons in control of content must disclose any relevant financial relationships. It is the policy of the Medical College of Wisconsin to identify, mitigate and disclose the absence or presence of all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies held by the speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this accredited continuing education. The following in control of content had no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Sara Kohlbeck, PhD, MPH
- Patricia Monroe, MEd, MA, CHES
- Victoria Wright, MSW
- Terri deRoon-Cassini, PhD, MS
National Association of Social Workers
"This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886840778-6502) for 15 continuing education contact hours."
Available Credit
- 15.00 APAAPA credit.
- 15.00 Hours of ParticipationHours of Participation credit.
- 15.00 NASW
Price
Postvention Certificate Program
A 16-week online learning experience focused on suicide postvention, survivor support, and practical response planning.
Format
All sessions are held live on Zoom via the link: https://mcwedu.zoom.us/j/96015453870?pwd=4xafyefVtovHXQQ29aaLXBPbY1yRZT.1
Credit
Participants must attend at least 90% of sessions and complete the final project to receive a certificate. Credit is only awarded for live participation; viewing recordings later does not qualify for credit.
Course Materials
Course materials are shared through Google Docs.
Special Assistance:
If you require special accommodations to attend this event, please contact Tricia Monroe at 414-955-7660 or [email protected].