Assessor Resource
CHCTC404B
Provide competent suicide intervention in a telephone counselling context
Assessment tool
Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024
The unit addresses opportunities for suicide intervention available to the telephone counsellor that recognise the potential and limits of the telephone medium and feature its role in linking callers with further resources
Telephone counsellors will be persons with training appropriate to their role who apply learning as employees or community volunteers
Competence in basic helping skills and crisis intervention is foundational preparation for this unit
This unit describes foundation knowledge and skills required to provide suicide intervention in the context of a telephone counselling service to persons potentially at risk, those concerned about someone at risk and people dealing with the aftermath of a suicide
The focus is on competencies that enable the telephone counsellor to identify and manage immediate suicide risk in the context of a supportive counselling relationship that seeks to work collaboratively with the caller to achieve safe outcomes
Safe outcomes in this context include a clear safety plan for addressing any immediate danger to the person at risk, or others, mobilising access to emergency medical help when needed and facilitating links with resources able to offer further assessment and care
The needs and safety of the caller are the primary focus in any suicide call
However, interventions also need to consider and address the safety of those offering help and potential risk to others in the situation
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)