Abstract. Background: Research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic caused increases in psychological distress and suicidal ideation. Aims: To describe the ways suicidal callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) perceived COVID-19 to have impacted them and assess whether these callers perceived COVID-19-related stress as contributing to their suicidal thoughts. Method: Telephone interviews were conducted with 412 suicidal callers to 12 Lifeline centers. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between demographic factors and individual COVID-19 stressors and to determine whether callers who endorsed COVID-19-related stress as contributing to their suicidal thoughts differed from those who did not regarding demographics, current suicide risk, history of suicidality, Lifeline use, or individual COVID-19 stressors. Results: Over half of callers reported that COVID-19-related stress contributed to their suicidal ideation (CRSSI). Callers who endorsed CRSSI had higher odds than those who did not of mentioning financial difficulties when asked how COVID-19 impacted them. The two groups of callers did not differ on the other factors examined. Limitations: Interviewed callers may not be representative of all Lifeline callers. Conclusion: Despite the subjective burden of COVID-19-related stress on suicidal Lifeline callers, this was not associated with new suicidality or heightened suicide risk.

Since Carl Rogers questioned the conditions "necessary and sufficient" to elicit therapeutic change in an individual over 60 years ago, the relationship between therapist and client has been considered by many to be of paramount importance in facilitating client improvement. Less importance, however, has been attributed to the relationship between supervisor and therapist. Although it has not been extensively researched, the relationship between supervisor and trainee has a significant effect on the trainee's experience of clinical therapy supervision and is considered to be one of the most significant elements influencing his or her development as a therapist. This article explores the author's experiences with three different therapy supervisors while interning at a community mental health agency in central Africa and the effects their behavior had on her perception of supervision. It then examines the steps that therapist trainees can take themselves to foster positive supervisory experiences. Public Significance StatementThis article's examination of the factors necessary in an effective supervisory relationship can inform therapy supervisors and supervisees about how to most benefit from their supervisory experience. This will support the development of more effective therapists, enabling them to provide a higher level of care to their clients.

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