Suicide

Question 1

How does the rate of suicide compare between male and female in NZ?

Answer 1

The rate of suicide for males is 3x the rate of females

Question 2

How does the rates of suicide compare between Maori and non-Maori?

Answer 2

Maori are twice as likely to commit suicide than non-Maori

Question 3

How does deprivation (lack of basic essentials) influence suicide rates?

Answer 3

As deprivation increases, suicide rates increase

Question 4

Does asking about suicide make someone suicidal?

Answer 4

no

Question 5

Most people who commit suicide have a previous history of what?

Answer 5

Self-Harm

Question 6

What is Ambivalence?

Answer 6

the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

Question 7

If you think a person is suicidal what do we do?

Answer 7

Ask them, this is a vital question and must be apart of your MH assessment.

Question 8

Suicide risk is substantially higher among those with what?

Answer 8

Co-morbid substance abuse, depression, and hopelessness

Question 9

What are some key factors in assessing for suicide risk?

Answer 9

SAD: Sex, Age, and Depression

(More males die by suicide, risk group is aged 15-24 or over 60, and lastly depression is highly associated with suicide risk)

Question 10

What are some other factors in assessing for suicide risk?

Answer 10

PERSONS ESCAPE: Previous attempt, Ethanol and drug abuse, Rational thinking is impaired, Support networks, Organised plan, No spouse, and Sickness - Experiences of adversity, Sexual abuse, Co-morbidity, Anxiety disorders, Personality disorders, and Event.

Question 11

What is the acronym for key factors in assessing for suicide risk?

Answer 11

SAD PERSONS ESCAPE

Question 12

What is the nurses role for a suicidal patient?

Answer 12

This is grounded in the therapeutic relationship.

The nurse will: Assess for suicide risk, assess mental state, promote safety, explore precipitants (causation), and promote alternative coping strategies

Question 13

What things do we ask about when assessing for suicide risk?

Answer 13

Suicidal ideation (if they have suicidal thoughts), Suicide plan (set date, access to means to carry plan out), recent stressors, and Impulsivity/Substance abuse.

Question 14

What do we need to consider with assessing mental state?

Answer 14

Assess frequently and regularly, be sensitive to changes in the persons mental state and collect objective AND subjective data.

Question 15

How do we promote safety with a suicidal patient?

Answer 15

Be with the patient where possible, minimise environmental hazards, and ensure on-going monitoring and documentation of the patients mental state and suicide risk

Question 16

How do we promote alternative coping strategies for a suicidal patient?

Answer 16

Assess protective factors, work with the person to reframe the situation, build on the persons strengths, and identify effective coping strategies.

Question 17

What do we ALWAYS so with a suicidal patient?

Answer 17

Act immediately if there is risk, allow the patient to speak openly, empathise and listen, ensure a safe environment, document carefully, be aware of your own reactions and feelings and stay within your role

Question 18

What should you NEVER do with a suicidal patient?

Answer 18

Dismiss threats of suicide or self-harm, agree to keep their suicidal thoughts a secret, feel pressured to have a right answer, be judgemental or dismissive, or afraid to ask if they are thinking about suicide/self-harm.

Question 19

Are suicidal thoughts confidential to the consumer?

Answer 19

No because this is putting the patient at harm