Social Justice Speaker Series Presents
Broadening Our View of Suicide: The Impact of Social Determinants on Suicide Risk
Presenter: Kathleen Chapman, PhD
Date & Time: Â Thursday, September 24th, 2026 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM EDT
Location: Live Via Zoom
   us02web.zoom.us/j/86195166223   (Zoom Link also emailed with ticket)
Cost:
FREE to attend
FREE CE for CPA Members (Log in to your account to access the discount!)
$15.00 CE Processing Fee for Non-members
Continuing Education: Â Eligible for 1.0 CE
Webinar will be recorded (recording not eligible for CE)
Abstract:
An essential part of suicide risk assessment is understanding the complex experience of the individual through acceptance, connection and empathy. Evidence indicates that suicide risk is influenced by an interaction of biological, psychological, environmental, and social factors. Among these factors Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) play a significant role in suicide risk.
The World Health Organization defines Social Determinants of Health as conditions in which “people are born, grow, live, work and age”. These include access to safe and stable housing, community connection, food security, social protection, education and safe, meaningful work, financial stability and manageable debt, health and mental health care. Inequities in these conditions contribute to experiences such as stigma, chronic stress, adversity, feelings of hopelessness and shame in daily experience. Research demonstrates that some populations experience greater inequities in SDOH and have disproportionately higher rates of suicide. Incorporating these determinants into suicide risk assessment provides a better understanding of individual experience and can inform intervention.
This presentation will review current data on rates of suicide, suicide attempts and ideation with a focus on populations at increased risk. The role of Social Determinants of Health in current theories of suicide will be examined, with examples on how these factors can be incorporated into suicide risk assessment, and collaborative treatment planning. Evidence-based brief intervention to reduce risk and promote treatment engagement will also be discussed. Finally, the presentation will review community resources that provide support and interventions to prevent suicide. Training information on suicide screening, assessment, and brief intervention will be provided.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Identify at least three ways Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can affect mental health and suicide risk, and identify at least two populations disproportionately affected by inequities in SDOH.
- Apply at least two SDOH considerations to suicide risk screening, assessment, and collaborative treatment planning.
- Describe at least two evidence-based brief interventions that can be used to reduce suicide risk and increase engagement in treatment.
- Identify at least three Connecticut suicide prevention resources and describe at least two strategies for connecting individuals to these resources as part of a collaborative treatment plan to reduce suicide risk.
Research Citations
Gallagher, K., Phillips, G., Corcoran, P., Platt, S., McClelland, H., O’Driscoll, M., & Griffin, E. (2025). The social determinants of suicide: An umbrella review. Epidemiologic Reviews, 47(1), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1093/epirev/mxaf004
Jobes, D. A., & Barnett, J. E. (2025). Evidence-based care for suicidality as an ethical and professional imperative: How to decrease suicidal suffering and save lives. American Psychologist, 80(3), 311–322. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001325
Hochhauser, S., Rao, S., England-Kennedy, E., & Roy, S. (2020). Why social justice matters: A context for suicide prevention efforts. International Journal for Equity in Health, 19, Article 76. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01173-9
Presenter Biography
Kathleen Chapman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice with more than 30 years of experience in a variety of mental health settings. She is a member of the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board, the State of Connecticut Maternal Mortality Review Board, and the Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) Professional Affairs Committee.
From 2001 to 2024, Dr. Chapman served as Director of Quality Improvement and Training at a Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) community mental health center. In that role, she led suicide prevention initiatives, including policy development, staff training, and quality improvement efforts focused on evidence-based screening, assessment, and intervention.
Dr. Chapman has provided suicide prevention training to healthcare and community organizations throughout Connecticut in collaboration with the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board and the Connecticut Psychological Association. She is committed to advancing suicide prevention through education, promoting evidence-based practices, and increasing awareness for professionals and the community.
Post-Webinar Evaluation Form:
Post-webinar evaluation form will be provided during the event and must be completed prior to receiving a Continuing Education (CE) certificate.
ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: CPA complies with applicable accessibility requirements and will make reasonable accommodations for participants with disabilities whenever possible. Requests should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the program to allow sufficient time for arrangements.
APA APPROVED SPONSOR OF CONTINUING EDUCATION:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for the program and its content. CE credit is awarded only to participants who are registered and attend the entire program. For in-person programs, participants must sign in and sign out to verify attendance. For virtual programs, participants must join using their full name so attendance can be accurately verified. Participants must also complete the program evaluation. CE certificates will be emailed within four weeks after the event once attendance and evaluation completion have been verified.
Under Connecticut regulations, APA-approved continuing education is explicitly recognized for psychologists, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs). Â For Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), APA is generally considered a nationally recognized organization but not specifically an approved provider under Connecticut regulations. LCSWs who attend CPA programs will receive an official CE certificate documenting their completed hours; however, acceptance of those credits for license renewal is determined by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. LCSWs are encouraged to consult the Connecticut Department of Public Health or NASW-CT if they have questions about whether a particular CE activity meets their licensure requirements.
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY: Participants may direct questions to CPA by email at info@connpsych.org or by phone at (860) 404-0333. Registrants may cancel their registration and receive a full refund if the cancellation request is received at least 14 days prior to the program date. Cancellations received within 14 days of the program are eligible for a refund less a $30 administrative fee. (The administrative fee does not apply to Social Justice Speaker Series programs.) No refunds will be issued for cancellations received within 48 hours of the program start time. If CPA cancels a program or a presenter is unable to deliver the program as scheduled, registrants may either transfer their registration to the rescheduled program or receive a full refund.
CPA GRIEVANCE POLICY:
The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is committed to conducting all continuing education (CE) activities in accordance with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists, the APA Standards and Criteria for Approval of Sponsors of Continuing Education, and all applicable federal and state laws. CPA is committed to providing an educational environment that is respectful, accessible, and free from discrimination in its promotional activities, educational content, and treatment of participants, presenters, and volunteers.
Although CPA strives to anticipate and resolve concerns promptly, participants may occasionally have grievances related to a continuing education activity. Â Participants are encouraged to communicate concerns as soon as possible so they may be addressed promptly. Informal concerns may be discussed with CPA staff during or immediately following a program whenever appropriate. Â Participants should direct concerns to the Chair of Continuing Education or the Executive Director by email to executivedirector@connpsych.org. Participants seeking formal review or corrective action should review our full CPA Grievance Policy for further instruction.
