Over the last two decades, the suicide rate in the United States has continued to increase, and disparities in who dies by suicide has widened. Recently, various communities have experienced increased distress related to economic, political, and interpersonal stressors, increasing the need to effectively assess for risk of suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). In spite of this increased pressure to support clients, predicting suicidal behavior remains very challenging. This training will help mental health clinicians build their skills for assessing risk for suicide and non-suicidal self-injury in clients. The training will first explore the emotional experience of the assessment process. Participants will then explore the epidemiology of suicide and NSSI in the United States. Additionally, this training will review the components of assessment, contextual and empirical challenges to assessment, and recommendations to help address these challenges for more effective risk assessments. This training is intended for field-based mental health and outreach workers in Los Angeles County. Anytime session recorded on June 11, 2026.