Self-Harm and Suicide

Question 1

Factors that indicate increased risk of suicide

Answer 1

Hx self-harm or previous suicide attempts

Other mental health disorder (e.g depression, bipolar disorder)

Male sex

Drug and alcohol abuse

A planned attempt (eg. leaving a note, attempting to hide, making a will)

Poor social support (eg. unemployment, single, living alone)

Question 2

Protective factors against suicide

Answer 2

Family support

Having children at home

Religious belief

Question 3

Mental health disorders to screen for in someone who has self-harmed

Answer 3

Depression

Psychosis

Anorexia

Question 4

Diagnoses that increase suicide risk

Answer 4

A previous suicide attempt (risk x 40)

Severe depression (risk x 20)

Anorexia (risk x 25)

Haemodialysis (risk x 14)

Recreational opiate use/dependence (risk x 14)

Alcohol dependence (risk x 6)

Question 5

Factors surrounding previous suicide attempts that increase risk of a second attempt

Answer 5

The patient carried out final acts (e.g. writing a will)

The patient has researched methods and prepared for the act (e.g. stockpiling tablets)

The patient perceived the act to have a high lethality

The patient took precautions against being found

The patient used a violent method of suicide (e.g. firearms, jumping from a height)

The patient’s attempt is discovered by chance

The patient resists/tries to evade medical intervention

The patient downplays the seriousness of the attempt