Crisis in 3 Digits: Suicide Helplines and the 988 Crisis Line (September 08, 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Crisis in 3 Digits: Suicide Helplines and the 988 Crisis Line

Tuesday, September 8th from 12pm-1:00pm

(1 CE Credit)

(For PA licensure, this fulfills 1 Suicide Prevention Act 74 CE Credit)

Presented by: Doug Tynan, Ph.D., ABPP

Program Description

Suicide helplines and crisis lines originated in London over 70 years ago, and have evolved to complex systems in Europe and North America, with the 988 line now in the United States. In the US, the well known 911 line replaced a patchwork of call centers for police, fire, health and other public safety, and managed behavioral crises. The first national suicide prevention hotline (800-273-TALK) had over 3.3. million calls in 2020 and transitioned to 988 in July 2022. This number was designed to manage all crises, not just suicidal ideation. Data indicate that over the past decade suicide rates have remained steady, with some patterns changing, and the data were certainly impacted by the COVID crisis. The future for 988 in Delaware is to include not only crisis management but referral services at all levels of care to help people connect with mental health clinicians.

Following this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the development of the 988 service from early helplines to the current 988 crisis line.

2. Demonstrate the differences between 911 and 988 and give examples of when to call each service.

3. Understand how the 988 system can identify the location of the caller even when they have an out of state area code.

4. Show how 988 crisis line has had an impact on suicide rates in the United States.

About the Presenter

Doug Tynan, Ph.D., ABPP: Dr. Douglas Tynan is a clinical psychologist licensed in PA and DE. He is highly regarded for his work for many years at Nemours Children's Health serving at various times as the Director of the ADHD Program, Director of Postdoctoral Fellow Training, and Director of the Primary Care Mental Health Program.

Dr. Tynan is a fellow of the American Psychological Association, past president of the Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, and past president of the Delaware Psychological Association. He has authored or co-authored more than 50 professional book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles.

Dr. Tynan is currently at Bryn Mawr Psychological Associates. His focus is on

evaluation and testing of children, adolescents and young adults with comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations, as well as more focused evaluations of cognitive ability, Learning Disabilities, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The Science and Practice of Effective Clinical Suicidology (September 18, 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The Science and Practice of Effective Clinical Suicidology

Friday, March 20th from 12pm to 3:15pm (1-15 min. break)

3 CEs

Presented by David Jobes, Ph.D, ABPP

REGISTER.

The National Register and the Council of Executives of State and Provincial Psychological Associations (CESPPA) are partnering to offer a new series of high-quality clinical webinars designed to financially support DPA. When you register, designate DPA, and 100% of the proceeds from your registration will go directly to DPA.

This program is sponsored by the National Register and Delaware Psychological Association. The Delaware Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The National Register and DPA maintain responsibility for this program and its contents.

Workshop Description: In this 3-hr webinar, Dr. David Jobes will highlight key evidence-based approached for effective assessment, management, and treatment of suicidal risk with an appreciation of ethical issues and risk management. The presentation will explore some of the relevant history that shapes contemporary clinical suicidology as well as key models that shape our understanding of suicidality. The primary focus will be on clinical approaches to screening and assessment, interventions for acute stabilization, and treatments of what makes a patient suicidal based on randomized controlled trials. Finally, various ethical considerations and how to decrease exposure to malpractice liability will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

1) Describe how to effectively screen and assess suicidal risk
2) Discuss effective interventions for stabilizing acute suicidal risk
3) Apply ethical best practices to decrease malpractice liability

About the Presenter: David A. Jobes, PhD, ABPP

David A. Jobes, PhD, ABPP, is a Professor of Psychology, Director of the Suicide Prevention Laboratory, and Associate Director of Clinical Training at The Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He has authored seven books and hundreds of published articles and book chapters. He is the creator of the “Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality” (CAMS) which is an evidence-based, suicide-focused, treatment approach for suicide risk. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and is a board certified clinical psychologist (American Board of Professional Psychology). Dr. Jobes maintains a private clinical and consulting practice in Washington DC and Maryland.

CE Disclaimers

The National Register of Health Service Psychologists is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The National Register maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Delaware Psychological Association upcoming events

Crisis in 3 Digits: Suicide Helplines and the 988 Crisis Line (September 08, 2026)

The Science and Practice of Effective Clinical Suicidology (September 18, 2026)