Asking the Though Question: Suicide Intervention Strategies in Athletic Training

This continuing education course addresses suicide as a critical public health issue and examines the role of athletic trainers in early identification, intervention, and referral. The course highlights a gap in athletic training education related to suicide-specific intervention skills and proposes practical strategies to address this deficiency. Content includes epidemiological context, with global and U.S. suicide statistics, as well as risk trends across military and athletic populations. The course integrates applied frameworks drawn from military behavioral health models, including stigma reduction strategies, cultural interventions, and structured approaches to recognizing warning signs. Instruction focuses on actionable skills, including how to initiate difficult conversations, identify behavioral indicators (BOLO), and execute effective intervention strategies. Emphasis is placed on the “warm hand-off” process to ensure continuity of care and appropriate referral.