suicide prevention

Psychiatric risk factors

Depression,bipolar disorder,schizophrenia,substance use,personality disorders

Psychosocial stressors

Loss of loved one,financial/legal issues,trauma or abuse

Demographic risk groups

Adolescents,older adults,men(Native American and White populations higher risk)

Previous attempts

Strong predictor of future suicide risk

Access to lethal means

Increases likelihood of suicide completion

Myth: Talking about suicide means they won’t do it

Fact: Talking is a serious warning sign

Myth: Suicide happens without warning

Fact: Most people show warning signs

Myth: Suicidal thoughts are permanent

Fact: They can be temporary and treatable

Myth: Only mentally ill people die by suicide

Fact: Not all have diagnosed mental illness

Myth: Talking about suicide encourages it

Fact: Open dialogue can help prevent suicide

Verbal cues

Statements like “I wish I were dead” or “You won’t have to worry about me”

Nonverbal cues

Withdrawal,mood shifts,giving away possessions

Assessment tools

Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale(C-SSRS),SAD PERSONS scale

Nursing diagnoses

Risk for suicide,hopelessness,ineffective coping,social isolation

Planning goals

Ensure safety,reduce ideation,enhance coping,build support systems

Safety interventions

Remove lethal means,one-to-one observation

Therapeutic communication

Empathetic,nonjudgmental listening

Effective therapies

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT),Dialectical Behavior Therapy(DBT)

Evaluation focus

Reduction in suicidal thoughts,coping strategies,support system,risk reassessment