Ch. 11 Suicide

Myths Abt Suicide

• Ppl who talk abt suicide do not act on their ideas

• suicide happens without warning

  • there is always a plan

• you cannot stop suicidal ppl, they rlly want to die

• improvement after severe depression means suicidal risk is over

  • antidepressants give them energy to carry out plan

• app suicidal ppl are mentally ill 

• suicide always happens in an impulsive moment

Risk Factors: Marital Status 

• • ppl who are divorced or widowed @ high risk

    • widow: wants to join them and don’t see what the point of living is

Risk Factor: Age and Gender 

• more women attempt but men are more successful 

  • men choose mor elethal route

• OLDER ppl are at highest risk 

Risk Factor: Religion

• can be protective and risk factor

• Risk:

  • they feel like they don’t belong or would be shut out

• Protective: 

  • they have a community 

Risk Factor: Socioeconomic

• financial issues and unemployment inc. risk

Risk Factor: Ethinicity

Top 3:

• white

• american indian

• alaska natives

Lower:

• black

• asian and pacific islanders

What should you say upfront?

Have you thought about harming yourself?

If they express plans of suicide you should assess

• thoughts

• Plans

  • see if their plan is feasible, if so then be aware

  • attempts

Signs of Suicidal Ideation

• Give away prized possessions

• Getting finances in order

• Sudden shift in mood

• direct and indirect statements

1 :1 Observation Components

• arms distance

• round every 15 min

• constant and no privacy

  • bathroom and shower curtain must stay open

  • check pockets for contraband

Other Suicide Precautions:

• count utensils

• check for “cheeking”

• observe visitors

Room Assignment:

• close to nurses station if others need to intervene

• make sure have a roommate

*Security can only protect you and are not trained to handle PT

How is safety planned formed?

• personalized

• done when warning signs are recognized

PT commits to:

• using coping strategies

• help seeking

• use of safety plan