Working with suicide Flashcards
suicide definition
-When someone takes their own life
-Best to be clear
-They don’t want to live anymore
-Acting or engaging in an activity that can or will end their life
Suicide attempts definition
Actively tried to end their life
Behavior in attempt to end their life.
Dying is the intent
Suicidal behavior
behavior that could end their life
risky behavior
dying might not be the intent
Intent is used to differentiate between
Suicidal behavior and attempt
Terminology to avoid
commit suicide: people commit crimes, suicide is not a crime in Canada
Successful suicide: remove success and fail from vocab
Terminology to use
Use complete, attempt, dies from or acts on suicidal thoughts
dont assign value to it
suicides are
Preventable
- a myth that there is nothing we can do
- every single one is preventable
- keep working on it and with the family
Suicide is skewed
More prevalent in marginalized populations
_____/year
___ per 100 000
___ for who identifies as male
____for who identifies as female
804 000
11.4
15
8
in richer countries ___ as many ___ die than ____
3X
men
women
in low and middle income countries the male to female ratio is
much lower at 1.5 men to women
Suicide accounts for ___% of all violent deaths in men and ___% in women
50
71
in almost all regions of the world suicide rates are higher in persons aged
70 years or over for both men and women
suicide is the ___ leading cause of death globally in 15-29 year old.
2nd
The most common methods for suicide are
ingestion of pesticides
hanging
firearms
Men die ( x) more often than women and women attempt suicide ( x) more than men
3
approx how many suicides per year
4000
Risk factors for suicide
1) health system and societal RF
2) community and relationship RF
3) individual RF
Health systems and societal RF
(4)
1- barriers to accessing healthcare (rural)
2- access to means
3- inappropriate media reporting and social media use
4- stigma associated with help-seeking behaviors
Community and relationship risk factors (6)
- Disaster, war and conflict
- stresses of acculturation and dislocation
- discrimination
- trauma and abuse
- a sense of isolation and lack of social support
- relationship conflict, discord, or loss
Individual risk factors
- previous suicide attempt (#1)
- mental disorders
- harmful use of alcohol and other substances
- job or financial loss
- hopelessness
- chronic pain and illness
- family history of suicide
- genetic and biological factors
Verbal cues
direct: I’m thinking about suicide, place of honor be respectful, they revealed something major, follow up
behavioral
Indirect
Behavioral cues
- marked changes in academic or work performance
- marked changes in mood or behavior
- withdrawal from social interaction or unusual activities
- referencing exit strategies
acquiring a gun or stockpiling pills.
a person has come to terms with suicidal thinking- they might feel peace and have an improved mood.
more behavioral cues
- putting personal affairs in order
- giving away prized possessions
- sudden interest or disinterest in religion
- drug or alcohol abuse, or replace after a period of recovery
- visits to a local bridge, and cliff (rehearsal)
Behavioral cues
co-occuring
depression, moodiness, hopelessness
unusual appearance, behavior or difficulties in communication
any previous suicide attempt*
situational cues
- being fired, or expelled from school
- a recent unwanted move
- death of a partner, child, or best friend especially by suicide
- loss of any major relationship
- diagnosis of serious or terminal illness
More situational cues
- Sudden unexpected loss of freedom/fear or punishment
- anticipated loss of financial security
fear of becoming a burden to others - fear of lack of support/acceptance associated with sexual orientation or identity
- any recent tragic event
protective factors
strong personal relationships
religious or spiritual beliefs
positive coping strategies and well being
prevention
research
policy
practice
3 step theory of suicide
is there pain and hopelessness
No: no suicidal desire
Yes: suicidal desire
2) Is pain overwhelming connectedness
No: modest suicidal risk
Yes: strong suicidal risk
3) Is there the capability to attempt suicide
No: desire only
Yes: suicide attempt
helps us understand how big of a threat it is
Policy
National suicide prevention strategies
world suicide prevention day
education about suicide and its prevention
QPR offered on campus
Prevention: Practice
- utilization of non-specialized health professionals
- self-help groups
- trained volunteers: online and phone counseling
