Family Connections™ Program

What is the Family Connections™ – Managing Suicidality & Trauma Recovery Program?

Family Connections™ – Managing Suicidality & Trauma Recovery is a FREE program that helps parents manage any stress and trauma they might experience when their child is dealing with self-harm or suicidal behaviors. This evidence-based, free course provides education, skills and support for parents and is offered in two formats, once a week for 8 weeks or as a 2-day weekend intensive.

If you are experiencing increased distress, worry or anxiety, grief, family conflict, or if you are unsure how to respond to your child’s crisis behavior, the course can help.

What will You Gain?

This course is a skills based education program that creates a supportive environment where parents can obtain information and acquire skills to manage their distress more effectively and improve family relationships. After completing the course, parents often experience decreased feelings of depression, burden, and grief and more feelings of empowerment.

Which Program is Right for Me?

There are many similarities between Family Connections and Family Connections™ – Managing Suicidality & Trauma Recovery, however Family Connections™ – Managing Suicidality & Trauma Recovery is specifically tailored to the needs of parents who have experienced a child’s suicidal behavior regardless of the diagnosis. This is the right program for those who experience trauma or stress-related problems — such as increased distress, grief, uncertainty about how to respond to a child’s crisis behavior — as result of caring for a child who attempted suicide, struggles with suicidal thoughts, or engages in non-suicidal self-injury.

If you are NOT experiencing trauma or stress-related issues and your loved one struggles with BPD or emotion dysregulation, we recommend you take Family Connections™ – BPD/Emotion Dysregulation.

Family Connections™ - Managing Suicidality & Trauma Recovery program

I am a parent of someone with severe self-harming behaviors or who has attempted to end their life.

I am a parent of someone who is or has been hospitalized for their own safety.

My child’s hospitalizations/suicide attempts affect my life.

I am a mental health professional or student interested in learning more about supporting parent trauma.

Family Connections™ - BPD/Emotion Dysregulation Program

I have a person in my life who is 13 years or older and has been diagnosed with BPD.

I have a person in my life who has difficulty controlling their emotions, a negative self-image, patterns of difficult relationships, and destructive behaviors.

Family Connections was recommended to me by a professional, family member, or friend.

I am a mental health professional or student interested in learning more about BPD.

The Family Connections™ – Managing Suicidality & Trauma Recovery program includes:

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Education on treatments and the latest research findings .

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Relationship skills based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help support your child with compassion and empathy.

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Support from course leaders and other participants who also have a child who has self-harmed or attempted suicide.

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Suggestions for taking care of yourself and managing your stress.

Details of the Program

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Course Dates and Times

The 8-week courses begin 3 times per year in January, June, and September. The 2-day intensives are scheduled throughout the year at various times.

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Commitment

We ask for a commitment to participate in all 8 classes. Skills build on the previous weeks so it is important to only commit to the course if you can participate.

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Enrollment

The next enrollment period will open on August 14, 2023. All fall classes will be available then for registration until the class is full.

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Age Requirements

Course participants must be at least 18 years old. If you are a parent, the child with emotion dysregulation must be at least 13 years old.

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Residents Outside the US

At this time the Family Connections™ – Managing Suicidality & Trauma Recovery program is only offered in the US. We hope to bring it to other countries soon.

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Course Cost

NEABPD IS A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers and donations to continue its mission. No one is ever charged a fee to take a FC-MSTR course.

Upcoming Fall Classes (enrollment for all opens on Aug 14)

8-week course: Sundays from 11:00am – 2:00pm EST; September 24 – November 12, 2023
8-week course: Tuesdays from 7:00pm – 10:00pm EST; September 26 – November 14, 2023
Weekend Intensive: October 21 & 22 from 11:00am – 5:30pm EST
Weekend Intensive: November 4 & 5 from 11:00am – 5:30pm EST

Helpful Resources for Managing Suicidality & Trauma

When your child has self-harmed or attempted suicide

Suicide Safety Plan

After a suicide loss

Questions?

Email mstr@neabpd.org