Breaking the Taboo: Talking about Suicide and Seeking to Understand When Someone is Having Thoughts of Suicide

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All of us have been impacted by suicide in some way, whether that’s through hearing about suicide in the news and media, having experienced thoughts of suicide ourselves, losing a loved one to suicide, or trying to support someone we know who is coping with thoughts of suicide. Despite the many ways this issue touches our lives, it often remains a taboo topic that’s difficult to discuss. Yet we know that open, compassionate conversations can help save lives. In this webinar, Dr. Joe Orovecz will help us develop our comfort in talking about suicide and (perhaps more importantly) listening when someone we know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm. You’ll learn more about how to: 

• Recognize warning signs of suicide
• Communicate in a supportive way when someone is in emotional distress
• Resources that can be helpful in moments of crisis (including 988, which you can dial right now anywhere in the US to be connected to a crisis counselor for support)
• Attend to your own wellbeing when supporting someone else

Speaker Bio:

The UCSF Faculty & Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is honored to welcome special guest, Dr. Joe Orovecz, to lead this important training as part of our Mental Health Awareness Month offerings. Dr. Orovecz brings deep expertise and a thoughtful, compassionate approach to topics such as suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and workplace wellbeing.

Dr. Joe Orovecz is a psychologist at Stanford’s Faculty Staff Help Center where he provides brief counseling, facilitates workshops and trainings, and supervises trainees. He also serves as a faculty member in California Pacific Medical Center’s Health Psychology Fellowship Program where he oversees clinical communication skills training for internal medicine residents. Joe earned his PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed his postdoctoral training at UCSF and UCOP’s Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP).

He has over 15 years of experience in the fields of crisis and suicide intervention and prevention, having volunteered on crisis hotlines, trained hotline volunteers and police officers in crisis intervention, taught classes on the psychology of suicide, and served on committees to advance broader suicide prevention initiatives. Joe also has a passion for serving the LGBTQIA+ Community and doing organizational work that advances the wellbeing of all campus community members.