Working with Persistent Suicidality and Self-injury for Psychiatrists

This one-day workshop is for psychiatrists and doctors who work with people with Personality disorders and Complex Trauma backgrounds

Working with Persistent Suicidality and Self-injury for Psychiatrists

In-Person and online: Wed March 25th 2026

We are seeking for this course to be endorsed by the RANZCP as CPD activity code: ED000057, in order for each hour of participation can be claimed under Practice Development and Review (Section 3.1) once the second post-workshop questionnaire has been returned.

Workshop Description:

This one-day workshop is for psychiatrists and doctors who work with people with Personality disorders and Complex Trauma backgrounds. The workshop will address evaluation, treatment and psychosocial approaches of persistent suicidality and self-injury for people living with personality disorders and Complex Trauma.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe evaluation of persistent suicidality in personality disorders and complex trauma.

1. Apply treatment principles for persistent suicidality and self-injury.

1. Outline psychosocial approaches to managing persistent suicidality and self-injury.

FACILITATORS:

Associate Professor Sathya Rao is a psychiatrist and the Executive Clinical Director of Spectrum Personality Disorder Service. He is the Vice President of the Australian BPD Foundation. He is also an adjunct clinical associate professor at Monash University. Dr Rao is involved in clinical research and has published research papers, contributed chapters and co-authored books on borderline personality disorder. He was a member of the NHMRC Clinical Practice Guidelines development committee, 2012. He has taught clinicians across Australia and was the head of psychiatry training program of Victoria for the RANZCP previously. He is involved in treating complex personality disorder patients and provides second opinions and secondary consultations for complex clinical conditions associated with personality disorders. He was the recipient of the 2020 Meritorious Award of the Victorian Branch of RANZCP. In recognition of his contributions to psychiatry he received the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) (General Division) in June 2022.

Dr Mithira Nithianandan is a consultant psychiatrist and Acting Executive Clinical Director at Spectrum Personality Disorder Service. She has had training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Metallization Based Treatment. Dr Nithianandan believes that training and support for the mental health workforce are crucial for addressing the needs of people with personality disorder. She has a particular interest in supporting primary care providers in working therapeutically with clients living with BPD.

Who should attend? Psychiatrists or doctors working within the public or private health sector.

Where: Both online or in-person ticket options available

Online: A zoom link will be sent to your registered email address a few days before the workshop.

In person: At Spectrum - located at 110 Church Street, on the corner of Church Street and Tweedie Place. Entrance is via the front of the building, to the right of the Skoda car dealership.

Cost (payable by credit card only):
In Person: $480
Online: $400

Lunch: A light lunch including a vegetarian selection is provided.

Public transport:

• Tram 78 on Church Street. Alight at Tweedie Pl/Church Street (Stop 63).
• Tram 109 on Victoria Parade (about a 5 min walk to 110 Church Street)
• Tram 75 on Bridge Rd (about a 7 min walk to 110 Church Street)

Car parking:

There is very limited 2 hour street parking available in the area. All day parking is available in:

• Richmond Traders, 271 Bridge rd, Richmond – 7 minute walk ($12/day)
• 35 Elizabeth Street, Richmond – 11 minute walk ($20 a day)
• 1 Allowah Terrace, Richmond – 12 minute walk (about $26/day)

Cancellation policy: If your circumstances change and you no longer can attend this event please log into your eventbrite account and cancel your ticket and request a refund no later than one (1) week prior to the event. A refund will not be issued if notification has not been received within this time frame and you will be required to pay for the event.

General enquiries: Email spectrumtraining@easternhealth.org.au or phone Spectrum (03) 8413 8750.

COVID-19 Update: To ensure a COVIDsafe event, please do not attend if you:

• Show symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, runny nose, shortness of breath
• Have been recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and released from self-isolation on day 5 or day 6
• Are a close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case

We are seeking for this course to be endorsed by the RANZCP as CPD activity code: ED000057, in order for each hour of participation can be claimed under Practice Development and Review (Section 3.1) once the second post-workshop questionnaire has been returned.