As isolation mental health conditions skyrocket after COVID-19, Psychotherapist Paula Fontenelle offers her insight in how to help suicidal people via her new online course in September. 

Portland, OR – Sept 1^st, 2021, A new course made available by psychotherapist and author, Paula Fontenelle, will start at the beginning of September in honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The course, ‘How to Help Suicidal People’, offers powerful insight and a personal approach to understanding and the prevention of suicide with practical interventions to assess risk and take action when needed. Course attendees will appreciate the convenient online platform, divided into 6 modules, tailored for anyone who has a loved one who is struggling with depression, suicidal thoughts, or previous attempts. For a free preview of the course, or to register now click here: https://www.understandsuicide.com/courseregistration.

Daniela Reis, Clinical Psychologist, and EMDR Trainer stated “I first came in touch with Paula’s work through her book, which fascinated me for the way in which she put together research and personal stories with a great deal of compassion. To me, Paula is a true example of Post-Traumatic Growth. Gratitude is the word I have to describe my respect for her personal and professional paths, and the seriousness of her work.”

The course ‘How to Help Suicidal People’, serves as an invaluable resource for the hundreds of thousands of people who are touched by suicide each year. Course attendees will be exposed to the inner workings of the suicidal mind and will learn practical tips to help those who are at risk. After completing the course, attendees have the tools and knowledge to help prevent suicide, at the same time as they are tearing down the existing stigma associated with self-inflicted death.

The course is a great asset to families, friends, mental health professionals, and teachers alike who will want to inform themselves on how to identify the signs, what to expect when having this conversation, things to avoid, how to assess risk, and how to take the appropriate action depending on the level of risk. This is particularly crucial now, as COVID-19 has led to an increase in isolation and mental health conditions across the globe.

Paula Fontenelle was a noted journalist, a published author, and public relations professional working with high profile organizations across Brazil when her father took his life in 2005. Her search for meaning in the face of such tragedy led her to make a radical career change, and today Fontenelle is a psychotherapist with a deep dedication to reducing the enduring cultural stigma surrounding suicide. Paula has stated, “I purposely took a very straightforward approach with this course, so that when you finish you will feel prepared to take action in a safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate way. I wish I had known all of this when my father was struggling with suicidal thoughts. Maybe he would still be here today.”

Paula’s book “Understanding Suicide: Living with Loss, Paths to Prevention” was first published in Brazil where it is a leading mental health reference and was a finalist for of the Brazilian National Book Prize. A second extended edition was published in English in 2019. Paula’s podcast “Understand Suicide” has been rated in the top 3% most popular podcasts in the world and has followers who tune in to her wisdom from across the globe. Upon completing Paula’s course, attendees will gain awareness and develop a strategic plan through the following six modules:

Module 1: Understanding Suicide – Focuses on myths and misunderstandings about suicide, breaking down biases, elements related to suicide, cultural impact, triggers, and personal traits associated with self-inflicted death.

Module 2: Warning Signs – Attendees learn how to spot the main warning signs, including verbal, non-verbal, and behavioral signs. They will also identify which warning signs should raise a red flag and need immediate intervention.

Module 3: The Suicidal Mind – Identify what leads a person to suicide, their frame of mind, common distorted thinking patterns, suicidal traits, the suicide continuum, psychache, and the role of ambivalence in suicidal ideation.

Module 4: Risk & Protective Factors – What risk factors are (and aren’t), myths, the role of mental health, and the main factors to be considered when assessing risk.

Module 5: How to Help 1 – Learn how to get ready for a conversation with your loved one, their frame of mind, how distorted thinking impacts their perspective, things to avoid, the importance of body language, effective communication skills, the role of judgement, and how to safely amplify their support system.

Module 6: How to Help 2 – Specific interventions so that they feel comfortable sharing their pain, exploring psychache (psychological pain), how to assess their level of risk, bringing hope into the conversation, how to create a safety plan, and the role of medication and hospitalization.

Register now at: https://bit.ly/3AUselw

Check out Paula’s Work:

Website: https://www.understandsuicide.com

Podcast: https://bit.ly/2UzeFZu

Book: https://amzn.to/2W66jIW

YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3gaeknu

Media Contact:

Paula Fontenelle
Attn: Media Relations
Portland, OR USA
+1-971-209-0108
pfontenelle@gmail.com