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Biological Models for Suicide Prevention

A Course by James Greenblatt, MD

Course Description

Course Fee: $255
CE: 2.0 credits

Suicide is the observable result of what is often a complex array of problems.  Strong scientific evidence suggests that suicide risk is moderated by underlying biochemical abnormalities and environmental factors, which together can impact brain structure and function.

Developed in collaboration with the International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine, this course plumbs the underlying biochemical, nutritional, genetic, and environmental factors that lead to a diagnosis of suicidality. Research illustrating the benefits of nutritional supplementation to mitigate risk factors will be presented, along with evidence-based interventions and a biochemical individualized treatment approach.

Modules

1. Suicide Prevention from an Orthomolecular Perspective

We begin the course by discussing the current global suicide crisis, highlighting some of the inadequacy of the current treatment protocols. Empirical evidence highlighting the risks and side-effects of antidepressant and antipsychotic medication will be presented. Then, we examine trauma and genetics for their role in the presentation of suicidality, along with a new, biologic model of suicide prevention.

2. Risk Factors and the Role of Inflammation in Suicidality

In Module 2, we clinically investigate inflammation, nutrition, biochemistry, and the role of fats and lipids—particularly omega 3 fatty acids—along with cholesterol as precursors to suicidality in patients.

3. Nutritional Interventions for Suicide Prevention

In the third module, we review treatment protocols for suicidal patients, focusing, in particular, on the ramifications of sleep deprivation, hypovitaminosis D, and low-dose nutritional lithium.

Enroll in this Course

Course registration fee subsidized by the International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine.

“Fantastic course. This course hit 5 stars on all levels: informative, engaging, interesting, educational, many take-aways to apply in practice. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. Much appreciated!”

Callie V.

“EXCELLENT in every way; I have taken all IFM courses and many others as integrative pediatric but this was phenomenal and so well presented.”

Therese T.

“Excellent class. Highly thorough content, easy to grasp and implement immediate beneficial changes to my practice as a direct result to taking this class.”

Melissa F.

“Useful, surprising! This course has given me new perspectives, as well as the motivation to dig deeper into research around these biological models. I believe this will be a practice-changer.”

AJ R.

“Informative and valuable. Incredibly grateful that this course was made available and positive about a future with a more measured approach to mental health.”

Victoria O.

“Excellent Presentation! Dr. Greenblatt provided an excellent presentation with evidence-based research and resources on suicide prevention that will help me as a student and in clinical practice. Thank you.”

Nyree S.

“Good list of predisposing factors for suicide. I think the part on childhood trauma was revealing as well as the TBI section.”

Robert T.

“Fantastic, much needed program. Concise and full of actionable items. Highly recommended for all health care providers.”

Shawna L.

“Excellent. A comprehensive course on suicide prevention covering less known risk factors such as inflammation and various nutrients' deficiencies. Easy to follow and understand. Thank you.”

Regina G.

“Excellent material. Every mental health professional should be required to take this course.”

Lisa D.

“Excellent. Well done, thoroughly piqued my interest in delving into this perspective and helping my patients.”

Beth A.

“Descriptive. Very clear, easy to follow and understand.”

Mihaela P.

“Very relevant to the current times. Very concise and up to date.”

David K.

“The course was very informative and offered practical tips for implementation.”

Carmen D.

“An essential course - the public needs to learn about it and get informed.”

Sarah F.

“Wonderful!! I learned so much!”

Laura L.

“These modules were excellent.”

Kristin C.

“I learned a lot and will use this information when I encounter someone who is suicidal. The text was very informative in its content regarding suicide.”

Genevieve T.

“Excellent course. Very informative and easy to apply.”

Vesna P.

“Great course with great references. Thank you for your work.”

Shawn B.

“Excellent and much needed!”

Brenda B.

Accreditation Information

Please click to expand and view accreditation information.

• CE Information

American Psychological Association approved sponsor logo

The CE Company is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The CE Company maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Course Level: Introductory
CE Instructions

This online program provides CE training and coursework. Accreditation requires the completion of a post-test. A passing grade of at least 75% must be met on this test in order to obtain certification. Instructions for certification will be provided upon completing the course in full.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify one key genetic, nutritional, metabolic, and environmental cause of suicidality.
  2. Explain one way that sleep deprivation and hypovitaminosis D relate to the presentation of symptoms of suicidality.
  3. Describe one method of identifying trauma and critical genetic factors in suicidal patients.
Instructor Bio

A pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, James M. Greenblatt, MD, has treated patients since 1988. After receiving his medical degree and completing his psychiatry residency at George Washington University, Dr. Greenblatt completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Medical School. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Walden Behavioral Care in Waltham, MA, and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine. Dr. Greenblatt has lectured internationally on the scientific evidence for nutritional interventions in psychiatry and mental illness. He is the author of seven books, including Finally Focused: The Breakthrough Natural Treatment Plan for ADHD. He is the founder of Psychiatry Redefined, an educational platform offering continuing online education, programs, and fellowships on functional and nutritional psychiatry for mental illness.

Conflict of Interest

The course instructor, James Greenblatt, M.D., is a consultant for Pure Encapsulations and owner of Psychiatry Redefined. He is also a key opinion leader for Fullscript. No assistance or financial compensation of any kind was provided by any outside commercial interest or entity in the development or preparation of this course.

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