Sessions
Understanding the Link between victimization and suicidality in justice-involved populations
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Wed
Dr. Chris DeCou’s research centers on the study and prevention of suicide among under-served and under-studied populations, and the association between experiences of trauma and suicidality. He is a member of the faculty in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the UW School of Medicine, and core faculty at the Center for Suicide Prevention and Recovery and the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center. He is involved in several projects focused on cultivating novel approaches to suicide screening, treatment, and prevention in high-risk prehospital, emergency department, and medical inpatient populations. Prior to completing his graduate training in Clinical Psychology at Idaho State University, Chris was employed as a full-time police officer, and was also certified as a firefighter/EMT. His experiences as a first responder continue to inform his research and clinical activities, and motivate his interest in addressing the intersection of violence victimization, psychopathology, and access to resources as predictors of suicidal behavior.