Assessing Suicidal Ideation

I chose to review Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS; Beck & Steer, 1993). The BSS was developed from Beck and Steer’s (1993) clinical rating version The SSI which is a 19-item measurement that is used to assess an individual’s traits as it relates to suicidal thoughts. The BSS is the self-report version is based on 21-items but only 19 of the items are used in scoring the test results. The test kit consists of an Administration and Scoring Manual and a Record form. The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation is a widely used instrument to assess suicidality. Suicidal behaviors consist of but not limited to the planning for suicide, suicidal ideation (thoughts of harming or killing oneself) and/or gestures.

Using the search strategy, numerous articles were identified as relevant to the search topics. Major search topics for this study included suicide assessment and nursing students, nurses and suicide education, and nursing students and mental health simulation. The databases frequently accessed included PubMed, Proquest, EBSCOhost Medline, and Elsevier Science Direct. Search filters included the years 2000-2017. After scanning the abstracts for further applicability, seventeen studies were eligible for inclusion in the literature review. The literature review incorporated all levels of evidence with a higher appreciation for Level III or above research.

Suicidal ideation is a medical term for thoughts about or an unusual preoccupation with suicide. The range of suicidal ideation varies greatly from fleeting to detailed planning, role playing, and unsuccessful attempts, which may be deliberately constructed to fail or be discovered, or may be fully intended to result in death. Although most people who undergo suicidal ideation do not go on to make suicide attempts, a significant proportion do.[1] Suicidal ideation is generally associated with depression; however, it seems to have associations with many other psychiatric disorders, life events, and family events, all of which may increase the risk of suicidal ideation. Recurrent suicidal behavior and suicidal ideation is a hallmark of

J.F. is a 42-year-old, Hispanic male who was transferred to the behavioral center for suicidal ideation, in which he planned to hang himself with cable wires. He has a history of mental illness in the family. The patient’s mother has a history of bipolar disorder, and passed away when the patient was 37 years old. The patient was emotionally and abused by a family member when he was around 8-10 years old. He had attempted suicide as a teenager by trying to overdose on pills. His medical history includes diabetes, pancreatitis, and methamphetamine use.

Suicide is a major public health concern and depression is one of the main risk factor. Gordon stated that “Over 40,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States; it is the 10th leading cause of death overall.” Knowing the warning signs can help you save a life. Some of the warning signs for suicide are talking about wanting to die, withdrawing from family and friends, using alcohol or drugs more often, and no hope for the future. There are more warning signs that you can look for but these are the most obvious. Gordon stated that “Suicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress, not a harmless bid for attention, and should not be ignored.” Some people do not take the signs serious and it is the worst thing you can do

The first aspect I picked is the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. I feel that this resources can help in understand the resources available to clients who are suicidal. It also provides some training information on assessing and managing suicide risk. This web site has many pages on effective prevention including Care Transitions. This could be useful in assessing a patient and offering them resources to help them get over the feeling of being suicidal.

Having conducted a few Suicide Risk Assessments myself, I think it is important in order to get a realistic assessment for another person to conduct this type of assessment. I would include questions of this nature on the form, but not a total risk assessment. I would first ask a question about if the client ever had thoughts about dying or falling asleep and never waking up. If yes, explain. Then I would ask a question about if the client had ever had thoughts about how the client would want to kill him or herself. Then I would provide a space on the form to elaborate. This would open the door to the mental health professional to conduct a full Suicide Risk Assessment in person to gather more information than a form can

There are strong correlations between various factors affecting the youth of today and the suicide ideation and attempt rates among ethnic minority youth. The article “Latina Adolescent Suicide Ideations and Attempt: Association with Connectedness to Parents, Peers, and Teacher” uses various sources to collected data by organizations like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention which provide ample information about suicide ideation and attempt in Latinas compared to other non-Hispanic groups. Statistical data yields information about adolescents at a rate of 21% for suicide ideation and 14% for suicide attempts. These numbers reflect data for adolescent Latinas between 10 to 24 years of age in the United States. Among these statistics,

The suicide lethality assessment has some strengths in that it identifies important suicide risk factors. The risk factors includes age, sex, stress, suicidal plan, feelings, behavioral changes, network, future outlook, perceived reactions

Arrays of tools, treatment and practices have been developed for use during a clinical consultation to help determine suicidal thoughts, concerns and behaviors (James, 2013). Within the tools developed determinant conditions and preindication signs are identified (Montague, Cassidy & Liles, 2016). The succeeding section will distinguish and outline risk factors, suicide hints and suicidal assessment that are designed to gauge suicidal thoughts, concerns and behaviors (Montague, Cassidy & Liles, 2016).

Research and psychological studies show that suicidal behavior stems from at least one or more mental disorders that are treatable. Individuals with suicidal behaviors often feel hopeless which contributes to these behaviors and can lead to suicide attempts or succession. Recognizing these behaviors can save someone’s life, being compassionate, empathetic, and proactive can greatly reduce an individual’s suicide behavior. The goal is to recognize these behaviors and get help for these individuals quickly.

The patient is a 29 year old male who presented to the ED with uncontrollable behavior. Patient reports that recently he has been experiencing frequent altercations at his place of employment as well as in his relationship. Patient reports previous drug problem and having a panic attack 2 days ago. Patient denies homicidal ideations, suicidal ideation, and symptoms of psychosis.

On the contrary psychological science views why adolescents partake in drug use much differently. The article “Adolescents’ and Their Friends’ Health- Risk Behavior: Factors That Alter or Add to Peer Influence”, authors state that “adolescents’ substance use, violence, and suicidal behavior were related to their friends’ substance use, deviance, and suicidal behaviors” (Prinstein, 287). The picture that I chose to best represent this is a girl with a friends behind her, and a thought bubble of her thinking that her friends believe doing drugs is okay and cool. I also thought it was as important to clearly show to adults or society that an adolescents’ friends have a huge impact on whether or not the individual uses substances, thus why I picked

The applicant reports of depression, but never been diagnosed and/or seek mental health services. The applicant then says, " My doctor is referring me for mental health services." When asked about past or present suicidal/homocidal ideation, the applicant reports of having suicidal ideation 16 years ago due to the decease of his significant other as the applicant refers as his husband. This writer completed the personal safety plan as the applicant coping skills is talking to his mother and current husband. In the event coping mechanism fail, the patient will call 911, seek mental health services, and/or call the crisis line.

Ms. Kamara is a twenty-nine year old African American female who was referred herself for Mental Health Skills Building services. Ms. Kamara reported within the last thirty days she has exhibited the following psychiatric problems: depressed mood (daily); auditory hallucinations (daily); diminished emotional expression (daily); anxiety (3-5x daily); isolation (daily); feelings of worthlessness (3-5x weekly); intrusive thoughts (3-5x weekly); sleep disturbance (1-2x weekly); suicidal thoughts (1-2x weekly but no active plan), suspects others deceiving her (Daily); preoccupied with unjustified doubt (daily); and reluctant to confide in others (daily). The above-mentioned symptoms have impacted Ms. Kamara’s level of functioning at as evidenced by her not being able to hold employment because of paranoid thinking and her interpersonal relations