Suicide Prevention: Screening, Assessment, and Intervention

Flashcards based on lecture notes covering Chapter 22: Suicide Prevention: Screening, Assessment, and Intervention, focusing on key vocabulary terms and their definitions.

Suicide Prevention

Measures taken to reduce the incidence of suicide through screening, assessment, and intervention.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

A psychiatric diagnosis often associated with the highest risk for a suicide attempt, especially in men.

Suicide Completion Rate (Men)

More than four times higher than in women, with white men completing 73% of all suicides.

Firearms and Hanging

Means more likely to be used by men in suicide, contributing to higher success rates.

Substance Abuse and Suicide

A major contributor to the rising suicide rate among men and a common complication in suicide deaths.

Protective Factor (Suicide)

A condition or characteristic that decreases the likelihood of suicide, such as marriage for older adults.

Unmarried, Unsociable Men

Demographic group with significantly increased suicide risk, particularly those aged 42 to 77 years with minimal social networks.

Previous Suicide Attempt

One of the best predictors for future suicide attempts, especially during adolescence.

Suicidal Ideation Assessment

The process of determining the seriousness of suicidal thoughts, including the degree of hopelessness and planning.

Lethality of Suicide Method

The potential for a chosen method to result in death, a critical factor in suicide risk assessment.

Imminent Risk (Suicide)

A true psychiatric emergency existing when an individual presents with symptoms associated with immediate risk for suicidal behavior.

Least Restrictive Care

The priority principle to provide for a client's safety while initiating minimal limitations on freedom during a suicidal crisis.

Social Isolation

A risk factor for suicidal behavior, associated with hopelessness, emotion-focused coping, and lack of purpose.

Documentation (Suicide Risk)

Essential record of suicidal thoughts, intent, plan, available means, and any substance use (drugs, alcohol, lethal medications) up to 6 hours before assessment.

Suicidal Crisis Management Strategies

Client-developed plans including self-soothing, contact lists, and professional resources for managing suicidal thoughts.

Myth About Suicide

A false belief that suicides occur more frequently during holiday seasons or without warning.

Lethality (Definition)

The probability that a person will successfully complete suicide.

Parasuicide (Definition)

A voluntary, apparent attempt at suicide, commonly called a suicidal gesture, in which the aim is not death.

Suicidality (Definition)

All suicide-related behaviors and thoughts of completing or attempting suicide and suicide ideation.

Suicidal Ideation (Definition)

Thinking about and planning one’s own death.

Impulsivity (Suicide Risk)

A psychological factor that enhances the risk of suicide, in contrast to cautiousness.

Delusions

Psychotic thoughts that can increase suicide risk.

Three Urgent Priorities for Imminent Risk (Suicide)

Reconnecting the client to others/instilling hope, restoring emotional stability/reducing suicidal behavior, and ensuring safety.

Strict Restriction on Activity (Suicide Care)

A generally inappropriate intervention for clients at imminent risk, as it can increase stress and should be used only as a last resort.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

A nonlethal antidepressant typically prescribed for depression in clients who have attempted suicide to treat the underlying psychiatric disorder.

Commitment to Treatment Statement (CTS)

A client-signed agreement to engage in treatment and access emergency services, acknowledging ambivalence and promoting open communication about treatment, unlike a no-suicide contract.

Assessing Degree of Planning (Suicide)

Inquiring about one's ability to stop themselves from killing themselves when evaluating suicidal ideation.

Nurse-Client Relationship (Social Skills)

An ideal therapeutic setting for clients with poor social skills to practice and develop behaviors necessary for establishing a social network.

Suicide (Definition)

The voluntary act of killing oneself; a fatal, self-inflicted destructive act with explicit or inferred intent to die.

Acute Risk Warning Signs (Suicide)

Immediate indicators such as a threat to hurt or kill oneself, and/or actively looking for ways to kill oneself, like with available pills or other means.