Beyond Risk: Relational Approaches to Suicide Intervention Course
Beyond Risk is a virtual suicide intervention course designed to equip helping professionals with relational, culturally responsive, and practical skills for supporting individuals at risk of suicide going beyond checklists and assessments to meaningful human connection.
Why Suicide Intervention Needs a Relational Approach
The problem
Over-reliance on assessments
Fear of saying the wrong thing
Cultural disconnect
Burnout among helpers
The Beyond Risk approach
Human connection as suicide prevention tool.
Trauma-informed & culturally grounded care.
Practical tools for real settings.
Ethical and compassionate support.
Who Should Attend?
No prior suicide-specific training required
What You'll Learn
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Understand suicide risk through a relational and contextual lens
Respond to suicidal distress with confidence and compassion
Hold conversations that reduce fear, stigma, and shame
Apply trauma-informed approaches that strengthen safety and hope
Navigate ethical boundaries, documentation, and referral pathways
Build protective factors through connection, dignity, and care
Course Details
Course Structure
Feb 4th – March 18th, 2026 (8 weeks)
Location: Zoom (Online)
Time: 6.00pm – 8.30pm EAT (2 1/2 hours)
Interactive Triad Practice pods: 60-90 minutes
Fees & Registration
Standard Rate: $300
Early-Bird Rate (Up to Jan 15th): $260
Group & Organizational Discounts Available
Limited scholarships for frontline and community workers
Meet Your Facilitator
Mary Gitau
MSc, MA, SEP, TRE, EMI, and EMDR: Founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Suicide Research and Intervention (CSRI).
Mary holds a master’s degree in suicidology and psychology and is a trauma-informed practitioner trained in somatic and integrative approaches to suicide intervention.
Mary brings extensive experience in community-based suicide prevention, clinical support, and professional training across the U.S. and Kenya, grounding her facilitation in relational, culturally responsive, and evidence-based care.
A relational approach to suicide intervention focuses on human connection, trust, and context, rather than relying solely on risk assessments or protocols. It emphasizes understanding a person’s lived experience, reducing shame and isolation, and engaging with compassion and presence.
The Beyond Risk course equips participants with practical, trauma-informed skills for responding to suicide risk with confidence and compassion. Designed for both clinical and non-clinical professionals, the course goes beyond theory to offer real-world tools for difficult conversations, ethical decision-making, and culturally responsive care helping you support life-saving connection when it matters most.
Relational approaches are beneficial because they strengthen safety through connection, not coercion. They help professionals respond to suicidal distress in ways that reduce fear, stigma, and resistance while supporting dignity and autonomy. This approach is especially effective across diverse cultural and community settings, where rigid assessment models may feel unsafe or alienating.
Yes. The content is designed to be accessible, ethical, and relevant across professional roles.
Yes. CSRI certificates are suitable for professional development and organizational training in globally. CE accreditation for U.S. clinicians is in progress.
Yes. The course integrates culturally responsive practice and acknowledges different community realities, resources, and belief systems.