5.2 Suicidal Assessment

Question 1

What to consider when assessing

Answer 1

• Demographics (VERY IMPORTANT)
• Presenting symptoms and medical/psychiatric diagnosis
• Suicidal ideas/acts
• Interpersonal Support System
• Analyzing the suicidal crisis
  (precipitating stressors, relevant history, life-stage issues)
• Medical/Psychiatric/Family history
• Coping strategies

Question 2

Behavior Cues of Suicide

Answer 2

• Giving away prized possessions
• Getting financial affairs in order
• Sudden lift in mood

Assessment of Suicide
- Seriousness of intent
- Plan
- Means
- Verbal and Behavioral Clues
- Lack of support during a crisis is high risk for suicide

Question 3

Suicide Terms

Answer 3

Ideation - Person has ideas of suicide
Substance Abuse - Drinks alcohol or other mood-altering drugs
Purposelessness - Expresses no reason to continue living
Anger - Uncontrollable rage
Trapped - Belief that there is no way out of current situation
Hopelessness - Perceives little chance of positive change
Withdrawal - Desire to withdraw from others
Anxiety
Recklessness - Engages in risky activities
Mood - Dramatic Mood Shifts

Question 4

Diagnosis

Answer 4

Risk of suicide related to feelings of hopelessness or desperation

Hopelessness related to absence of support systems and perception of worthlessness

MEASUREMENT OF OUTCOMES
- Client experienced no physical harm to self
- Client sets realistic goals for themself
- Client expresses optimism for the future

Question 5

Suicide Safety Plan

Answer 5

1 - Recognize signs that precede suicide crises
2 - Identify coping strategies that do not require support people
3 - Identify a support system (family/friends) they can discuss suicide with to resolve a potential crisis
4 - Identify people/setting they can go for general support and distraction from suicidal urge
5 - Identify resources/contact information for mental health professionals in case of a crisis
6 - Problem solve with client to reduce access to lethal means

Question 6

Friends and Family

Answer 6

• Take hints of suicide seriously
• Do not keep secrets, ambivalence leads person to confide to you about suicidal thoughts
• Be a good listener
• Express feelings of personal worth to the client. Stress that the persons life is important to you
• Familiarize yourself with intervention sources like mental health centers and suicide hotlines
• Restrict firearms or other lethal means
• Acknowledge/accept their feelings and be an active listener
• Provide them with hope and let them know what they are feeling is temporary
• Show love/encouragement through hugs and touch
• Help them seek professional help
• Do not judge them, provoke guilt, or say “snap out of it”

Question 7

IMPORTANT FOR FAMILIES

Answer 7

• DO NOT LEAVE A SUICIDAL PERSON ALONE
• REMOVE ITEMS FROM HOUSE THAT CAN POSE A HARM TO THEMSELVES
• IF CHILDREN ARE PRESENT, REMOVE THEM FROM HOME. Maybe a relative can assist in taking care of them

Question 8

Intervention with Family/Friends of Suicide Victims

Answer 8

• Encourage them to talk about suicide
• Discourage blaming/scapegoating
• Listen to feelings of guilt or self-persecution
• Talk about personal relationships with the victim
• Recognize different styles of grieving
• Assist in development of coping strategies
• Identify resources that provide support

Question 9

Evaluation after Crisis

Answer 9

• Learn more effective ways to express feelings to others
• Achieve successful interpersonal relationships
• Feel accepted by others and sense of belonging
• Develop and maintain a more positive self concept