American Psychiatric Nurses Association Announces New Facilitators of the APNA Competency Based Training For Suicide Prevention

Increasing access to education on suicide prevention in inpatient settings, eight nurses have been added to the roster of trained instructors authorized to deliver this training to nurses.

FALLS CHURCH, VA – September 10, 2020

Continuing its nationwide effort to bolster educational competencies in suicide prevention for the nursing workforce, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) today introduced eight psychiatric-mental health nurses who join a team of instructors of the APNA Competency-Based Training for Suicide Prevention. After completing a rigorous program, these facilitators are authorized content experts in suicide risk assessment, management, and prevention and are now able to provide this training to institutions, communities, and individuals.

“We are grateful to these nurses who achieved the qualifications to provide this needed service. They are prepared to strengthen the skills of their fellow nurses and can offer hope to those in acute need,” says American Psychiatric Nurses Association President Tari (Sattaria) Dilks, RN, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAANP. “I am encouraged that delivery of the APNA Competency-Based Training for Suicide Prevention is in the capable hands of these nursing leaders.”

The APNA Competency-Based Training for Suicide Prevention is an educational program based on the APNA Psychiatric Nurse Essential Competencies for Assessment and Management of Individuals at Risk for Suicide. The first training of its kind, it fills a gap in education for those providing care to persons with mental health and substance use needs. Through these facilitators, offerings of this training can be scheduled across the country, leading to improved outcomes in suicide risk assessment, prevention, and intervention, ultimately increasing safety.

With a commitment to educate nurses, who compose the largest segment of the health care workforce, in the assessment and management of suicide risk, each of the APNA Competency Based Training Facilitators is taking a leadership role in community efforts to reduce deaths by suicide.

Newest APNA Competency Based Training for Suicide Prevention Instructors:

Laurie F. Fontenot, MSN, RN
Eunice, LA

Melanie F. Ham, MA, MSN, RN, CSAC
Roanoke, VA

Denise Hussey, BSN, RN
Morganton, NC

Carolyn Kleinsmith, BSN, RN, PHN, Credentialed School Nurse
Santa Maria, CA

Islane R. Louis, MSN, RN
Colchester, VT

Michelle Tavares, MSN, RN-BC
Glens Falls, NY

Chris Van Groningen, RN-BC
Tucson, AZ

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is a national professional membership organization committed to the practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing and wellness promotion, prevention of mental health problems and the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders. APNA’s membership is inclusive of all psychiatric-mental health registered nurses including associate degree, baccalaureate, advanced practice (comprised of clinical nurse specialists and psychiatric nurse practitioners), and nurse scientists and academicians (PhD). APNA serves as a resource for psychiatric-mental health nurses to engage in networking, education, and the dissemination of evidence.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.