Assessment of suicidality Flashcards
What do we need competency in when responding to suicide?
Assessment of risk
Estimation of risk level
Appropriate interventions to minimise risk
What are the components of a suicide risk assessment?
Everybody doesn’t publicise it
Engagement
Detection
Preliminary Suicide Risk Assessment
Immediate management
Documentation throughout
Confidentiality
Professional Consultation
What does engagement mean?
Engaging with the client and immediate supports if possible.
What does detection involve?
Thorough assessment through interview
Must ask about SR even if the patient doesn’t bring it up.
Once detected, you must ask about frequency, duration and intensity of thoughts.
What does ‘Preliminary Suicide Risk Assessment’ mean?
Assessing the seriousness, method and availability of meaningful help following the prior attempt.
What four things do we explore when assessing the seriousness of a suicidal ideation?
Method - specific?
Availability
Specficity
Lethality
What other factors do we consider when assessing suicide risk?
Gender - males more likely Age - risk increases across lifespan Race - US whites have highest suicide rate; 5% of australian suicide rates were ATSI Employment - unemployed at greater risk Living circumstances - increased risk for living alone Recent stressors Mental and emotional state History of mental health problems Current medical status Experiences with suicide Coping strategies Significant others Social and personal resources Unstable lifestyle High risk factors - previous high lethality attempts; abuse; isolation/withdrawal; disorientation/disorganisation; hostility.
What do we need to consider when managing immediate risk?
safety of client, and self.
client not to be left alone
items that could be used for self harm should be removed
police should be contacted if there is a firearm involved
referral to specialist mental health service under the mental health act
If the person leaves, the police may be called.
If a good therapeutic relationship is established, a ‘no self-harm’ contract may be considered.
What sort of documentation should be kept when assessing and managing suicide risk?
Circumstances surrounding suicidal crisis
Risk assessments undertaken and outcome
Clinical decisions made
Steps taken to address safety
Other people consulted
Rationale for intervention steps taken
Basis for any considered disclosure of information to appropriate third parties
What are the issues of confidentiality associated with SRA?
If the psychologists believes that failing to disclose information could place the individual at serious risk of harm/death, and disclosure is justified to reduce this risk.
What are the purposes of professional consultation WRT Suicide risk?
Provides mutual professional support
Provides feedback about practice standards
