The Reality of Suicide: What Interpreters Need to Know

4.87 (31 votes)

Suicide is a topic that we aren’t comfortable talking about until we have to. It is a reality that does not discriminate; it doesn’t care who you are or what you do, it can affect anyone. Presented by an interpreter & sibling suicide loss survivor, this workshop will be an open honest conversation about what interpreters need to know about suicide: the facts, statistics, appropriate language (ASL & English), warning signs, risk factors, terminology, myths, and prevention. We will also talk about strategies for safely and effectively working with suicide loss survivors, attempt survivors, and individuals calling the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Let’s talk.

This activity has been approved for 0.25 Professional Studies RID CEUs.

RID is providing this workshop as an opportunity for safe, respectful learning and will not permit harassment, discrimination or horizontal violence based on another's comments, questions, schema, race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or any other protected class.

1. Participants will identify various warning signs, risk factors, and protective factors for suicide,
2. Participants will discuss current trends and statistics related to suicide and how this might impact the work they do,
3. Participants will review common terminology related to suicide and discuss how it is accurate or inaccurate for the situation (in ASL and English),
4. Participants will discuss strategies for safely and effectively working with suicide loss survivors, attempt survivors, and individuals calling the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline.

Tarra Grammenos

Tarra Grammenos, M.S., SC:L, NIC Advanced (she/her)

Tarra Grammenos, M.S., SC:L, NIC Adv. holds a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, Graduate Certificate in Legal Interpreting, Bachelor's Degree in Psychology of Deviance, and Associates Degree in ASL/English Interpreting. Born and raised in Minnesota, Tarra has been an ASL/English Interpreter for almost 20 years. Since the death of her youngest brother to suicide in 2017, Tarra has immersed herself into the field of suicidology. She attends/facilitates a monthly suicide loss survivor support group, hosts a yearly virtual ASL event for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day in November, co-conducted a Psychological Autopsy Investigation, and is ASIST Certified (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). Tarra has traveled all over the country presenting to Interpreters and the Deaf Community about the reality that suicide is.