Remote supervision and training in suicide prevention during the time of the coronavirus pandemic: Recommendations for training programs and supervisors

The Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) has led to a widespread surge in need for mental health services. At the same time, trainees in health service psychology rapidly transitioned to remote work to protect the safety of themselves, colleagues, and patients from the pandemic. This abrupt switch has led to pioneering advancements in the use of remote technologies which can improve access for patients and trainees alike. However, the existing guidelines for telehealth lack specific recommendations for training programs and supervision. Further, the literature is especially lacking in information on training in suicide risk assessment and management for when both supervision and treatment are conducted virtually. Trainees commonly experience relatively high anxiety when working with high-risk patients, and close supervision and support are paramount. This review provides information on available technologies that can aid suicide prevention, highlights gaps in existing guidelines and literature for telehealth as these may apply to trainees’ work with high-risk patients, and delineates recommendations for training programs and supervisors to optimally support trainees’ learning with regard to suicide prevention, and to ensure that trainees provide their patients with optimal treatment.