Live webinar air date: March 6, 2026, 2 p.m., Eastern time
Date
CE credits
1
Exam items
6
Description
School screenings may prevent suicide by identifying at-risk youth. Mental health providers in schools must understand their responsibilities and ethical boundaries around screening efforts. Miranda Wood, BA, winner of the APA Ethics Committee’s Graduate Student Ethics Writing Competition, will discuss ethical considerations across four professional ethics codes, APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, the National Association of Social Workers Standards for School Social Workers Services, the National Association of School Psychologists Ethics Code, and the American School Counselor Association Ethics Code. The presentation includes a panel discussion with members of the APA Ethics Committee.
Learning objectives
- Describe the ethical considerations for mental health providers conducting suicide screenings in school settings.
- Prepare for ethical dilemmas that arise when conducting suicide screening in schools.
Presenters
Miranda E. Wood
Wood is a graduate student in clinical psychology at the University of Missouri. She earned her BA in psychology from Baylor University. Her research interests focus on advancing access to and implementation of evidence-based youth mental health services.
Heather Ciesielski, PhD
Ciesielski (she/her) is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Purdue University and director of the Purdue Psychology Treatment and Research Clinics. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and board certified in clinical child and adolescent psychology. Ciesielski served on hospital bioethics committees and as an associate member of the APA Ethics Committee. She is currently a member of the Indiana Psychological Association Ethics Consultation Committee.
Cheryl Maykel, PhD
Maykel is a tenured associate professor of counseling and school psychology at Rivier University in Nashua, NH. With a background in school psychology, Maykel served two terms on APA’s Division 16 executive council as treasurer. She is currently a member of the APA Ethics Committee. Maykel also served on the Rivier IRB for seven years, including three as chair. Her current research interests include mind-body health and positive psychology.
Breeda M. McGrath, PhD
McGrath is a licensed clinical and school psychologist who serves as president of Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School in Pasadena, California. With expertise in education, international psychology, and counseling, she specializes in child development, psychoeducational assessment, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed care. McGrath is a member of the APA Ethics Committee and the Coalition for Psychology in Schools and Education. She also serves on the boards of the peace psychology and international psychology divisions of APA. Her community work focuses on and immigrant issues and conflict resolution. Prior to her current role she served as academic dean at The Chicago School, where she supervised a broad range of graduate programs in psychology, counseling behavior analysis, public health, international, forensic, and business psychology.
