PTSD, trauma, and suicide

primary trauma

when an individual directly experiences the trauma

secondary trauma

someone is indirectly impacted by another person’s trauma

vicarious trauma

gradual change in one’s worldview, beliefs, and/or emotions after repeated exposure to the trauma of others

PTSD

occurs after witnessing or being a part of a traumatic event; the stress response system is dysregulated, causing the individual to confuse current stimuli with past stimuli

ACE

Adverse Childhood Experience

• physical and emotional abuse

• neglect

• household dysfunction

active suicidal ideation

person has acute thoughts of completing suicide and either has a plan or is developing a plan - very high risk

passive suicidal ideation

person doesn’t want to be alive, but has not yet indicated a plan to act