Suicide, self harm and risk

Question 1

What is self-harm

Answer 1

self-injury without suicidal intent
aka non-suicidal self injurious behaviours

Question 2

How does the peak age of self-harm differ between men and women

Answer 2

• women: 15-24
• men: 25-34

Question 3

What is the most common form of self harm

Answer 3

cutting

Question 4

Give 2 demographic RFs for suicide

Answer 4

• male - 3x mc
• older adolescent age

Question 5

Give 5 clinical factors that increase the risk of suicide

Answer 5

• Dx of psychiatric disorder
• Previous suicide attempt
• FHx of suicide
• Hx of abuse or trauma
• poor physical health

Question 6

Give 3 social factors that increase the risk of suicide

Answer 6

• Life stress – unemployment, legal/ financial issues
• Lack of social support
• Exposure to other with suicidal behaviour

Question 7

Give 5 mental state factors that increase the risk of suicide

Answer 7

• Suicidal thoughts, especially if specific acts planned
• hopelessness
• Drug and alcohol use
• Impulsivity
• escalating self-harm

Question 8

Give 3 protective factors that may help reduce the risk of suicide

Answer 8

• social support and community
• sense of responsibility to others (children/ family)
• religious beliefs

Question 9

Give psychiatric conditions that are associated with an increased risk of suicide

Answer 9

• bipolar
• depression
• personality disorders
• schizophrenia

Question 10

Give 3 ways of assessing suicide risk

Answer 10

• risk assessment tools - DRAM
• clinical assessment - Hx + MSE
• static and dynamic RFs

Question 11

State 3 questions that are important to clarify post an attempted suicide from overdose

Answer 11

• what did they take
• did they think this would be enough to die
• what did they take with it - water/ alcohol

Question 12

Give 5 static RFs for suicide

Answer 12

• Hx of self harm/ overdose
• previous hospitalisation
• childhood adversity
• seriousness of previous suicidality
• Hx of mental/ substance use disorderGiv

Question 13

Give 5 dynamic RFs for suicide

Answer 13

• suicidal ideation and intent
• hopelessness
• treatment adherence
• psychiatric admission/ discharge
• psychosocial stress

Question 14

How is suicidality managed

Answer 14

• risk assessment
• safety-netting and follow up plan
• may be detained under MHA - risk to self/ others
• Tx underlying condition but beware of overdose risk
• psychotherapy

Question 15

Give 4 factors associated with an increased risk of completed suicide at a future date after an attempted suicide

Answer 15

• efforts to avoid discovery
• planning
• leaving a written note
• final acts - eg sorting finances
• violent method

Question 16

What can be given within one hour of overdose of various substances to reduce absorption

Answer 16

activated charcoal