VPC Training Series

At the VPC, we are committed to fostering a culture of learning and growth. Our VPC Training Series offers a variety of specialized trainings for students, staff, faculty, health practitioners, community members, and organizations—both governmental and non-governmental. Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise or eager to share it, we have opportunities designed just for you.

UPCOMING TRAININGS

Stay informed about upcoming sessions! Each training is carefully crafted to address timely topics and to equip participants with practical, research-backed strategies for violence prevention. Check back here regularly to register for new sessions.

Suicide Prevention Training:

Testing the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide: Application for Research and Practice

When: Thursday, June 26, 2025, 12pm-1pm

Where: Virtual via Zoom

REgister here

Details below.


This event is co-sponsored by CAMS-care, a global leader in suicide suicide-specific assessment and treatment. Learn more about CAMS-care by visiting their website: https://cams-care.com.

Summary:
Join Shannon M. Cain, PhD, MSW, LCSW, Postdoctoral Fellow in Suicide Prevention Research at UNC Charlotte, for an insightful webinar on Testing the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS): Applications for Research and Practice. In this session, Dr. Cain will provide an introduction to the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) (oiner, 2005; Van Orden et al., 2010) covering its core constructs: Thwarted Belongingness, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Acquired Capability, and how these factors interact to predict lethal suicide attempts. She will review the latest research on IPTS, including findings from her CDC- and APHA-supported study that examined the theory using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). Dr. Cain will also share how her study challenges the IPTS model, particularly regarding the role of Acquired Capability in suicide risk, and will discuss important gaps in the current research. Attendees will leam about practical implications for suicide prevention, focusing on clinical and community-level practices, and explore an ecological shared risk model for suicide and other violent deaths.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, learners will be able to: 

  1. Summarize the key tenets of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS).
  2. Discuss current research evidence for IPTS.
  3. Identify implications for suicide prevention practice.

Who might benefit from attending?

This session is ideal for mental health and health care providers (social workers, therapists, nurses, case managers, physicians, ER staff, public health professionals), health professions students (in behavioral health, medicine, nursing, or public health), and researchers interested in suicide prevention and IPTS-related research.

PAST TRAININGS

Our past sessions have covered a variety of essential topics and have engaged participants from diverse fields. Highlights include: