Suicide Assessment

Question 1

What is DSH and what can it be a sign of?

Answer 1

Deliberate Self Harm. Has a different psychopathology to suicide even though they are often grouped together. It can be a sign of BPD, often use cutting as relief.

Question 2

What signs show that DSH is dangerous?

Answer 2

If the self harm is used as punishment its is destructive.

Question 3

How common is suicide in Australia?

Answer 3

2010- 7 per day. Rates have tripled since 1960. its the 2nd leading cause of death among 15-24yr

Question 4

How common is attempted suicide in Australia?

Answer 4

Approx 200 every day.

Question 5

How much higher are the rates of suicide for aboriginal people compared to non?

Answer 5

2-3x higher

Question 6

Who is at most risk of suicide worldwide?

Answer 6

Older Men (over 65) most risk of completed suicie followed by young males

Question 7

What are the 4 most common methods of suicide?

Answer 7

firearms (rural areas), hanging

carbon monoxide poisoning (incl medication overdose)

Question 8

Are males for females more likely to complete suicide?

Answer 8

Males, probably due to more violent methods- no backing out.

Question 9

Name 10 suicide risk factors.

Answer 9

Age (19 young/45 higher), depression, previous attempt, alcohol use, recent loss, social support lacking, no spouse, organised plan to harm self, sickness, exposure to suicide (5% of suicide come in clusters)

Question 10

Name 4 protective factors.

Answer 10

Religious beliefs, presence of child under 18, social support, effective problem-solving/coping skills

Question 11

What is covered in a suicide assessment interview?

Answer 11

Evaluate for depression, explore suicidal ideation and hopelessness, assess for suicide plan, assess self control (highly controlling or impulsive both problematic, assess intent

Question 12

Why is evaluating depression important?

Answer 12

Depression is implicated in most suicides. Must assess for belief that future is hopeless.

Question 13

How do you assess for a plan?

Answer 13

Past attempts- attempts get higher risk the more times they've done it. 
Assess for SLAP:
Specificity of plan
Lethality of method
Availability of proposed method 
Proximity od social helping resources

Question 14

What do you look for when assessing clients self-control?

Answer 14

Determine level of impulsivity- more common in some disorders e.g. BPD. History of excessive over-control also a risk

Question 15

What are some difficulties in risk assessment?

Answer 15

Denial (fear of being locked up), Psychotic behaviour (no accurate info), intoxicated, false or sudden improvement (may be related to deciding to suicide), lack of trust, confidentiality issues

Question 16

What 4 questions are asked in an on-the-spot assessment?

Answer 16

1. Is suicidal ideation present?
2. Do they have a plan?( detailed?)
3. Do they have the means?
4. Do they intend to act on plan soon?

Question 17

What are some ways of suicide intervention?

Answer 17

Identify alternative, options when person on verge, treat underlying disorder.
Postpone attempt, stay calm, establish alliance, establish suicide prevention contract, provide suicide hotline info,

Question 18

What are on-the-spot intervention techniques?

Answer 18

Practical: remove means, don’t leave them alone, arrange professional intervention
Therapeutic: be empathetic (acknowledge pain), identify ambivalence, identify alternatives