Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality for Teens (CAMS-4Teens®) Training

The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) Framework is an empirically-validated, patient-centered framework for suicide-focused treatment rooted in collaboration and backed by 40+ years of evidence.

CAMS-4Teens^® effectively addresses the unique challenges and dynamics of adolescents and young adults in high-stress environments like the Emergency Department. It also encourages active participation of the teen, instilling a sense of ownership in their treatment journey, and strategically engages parents and caregivers, maximizing support and understanding in and out of treatment sessions. CAMS-4Teens® was developed to train clinicians on how to adapt and implement the CAMS Framework® and the Suicide Status Form (SSF) for youth ages 12 and older. The training also provides updated information on the nature, epidemiology, and prevention of youth suicide, including a specific focus on reducing access to lethal means and how to work within and across systems of care (hospitals, schools, justice, and outpatient settings). 

The CAMS-4Teens Interactive Training program contains a three-hour online video course, presented by Dr. Jobes, that includes a discussion of the past and current research, a recommended approach for effectively involving parents and loved ones in their child’s treatment, and an introduction to the newly developed Stabilization Support Plan, offering invaluable insights for optimizing patient care and support. It also includes best practices for utilizing the CAMS Framework and the Suicide Status Form specifically with teenage patients, and how to navigate interactions with parents and schools, providing comprehensive guidance for effective treatment strategies. It is intended for a range of audiences.  

Objectives:

After watching the Working with Parents Video, participants will be able to:

• Implement CAMS with the adolescent population
• Involve and engage parents by setting expectations and supporting their child’s treatment using the Stabilization Support Plan
• Use the stabilization plan to collaborate with parents on creating a safe home environment in terms of lethal means
• Clarify communications with parents using a patient-centered approach that encourages discussions between clinician and parents that routinely include the teen client (with some emergent exceptions)
• Guide your teenage client and their parents to optimally interact between CAMS sessions should a crisis emerge using the Stabilization Support Plan

After completing the Interactive Training, participants will be able to:

• Discuss epidemiological trends regarding suicidal thoughts and behaviors that are unique to teens
• Identify myths and facts about working with suicidal teens
• Discuss adapting CAMS to teen sub-populations such as youth with ADHD or those with lower cognitive abilities
• Identify strategies to reducing access to lethal means

Schedule:

The CAMS-4Teens® Training involves a commitment to the completion of 2 learning experiences and is REQUIRED.

1. Completion of the CAMS-4Teens®: Working with Parents Online Video Training is required prior to attending the CAMS-4Teens® Interactive Training. Video access instructions will be provided via email around the end of June.
2. Attendance to the CAMS-4Teens® Interactive training day, July 29th 2025 from 1:00 pm- 5:00 pm EDT.