Suicidal Ideation: Social Work

Suicide is still a major public health problem in the United States today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documents several disturbing statistics on suicide in America. The most significant one being that suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in the United States across all age groups. (D’Orio, 2004) What most people don’t understand is that people who commit suicide are suffering from some sort of mental illness. Most people often see mental illness as a character flaw. People with mental illness are judged, misunderstood, often looked at as easy targets, and failures. What people do not understand is that any form of mental illness can lead to suicide. When it comes to suicide, people who attempt or take their life are afraid to ask for help because of being judged or misunderstood, and their families are left asking “why didn’t they ask for help?”

In 2014, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2015), there were twice as many suicides than there were homicides. Suicidal ideation (SI), defined as an individual thinking about, considering, or planning their suicide, is established before the act of committing suicide. Research suggests that adverse childhood experiences (CDC, 2015) will put an individual at risk for developing a mental illness that could result in SI and suicide attempt (SA). It is important for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) to recognize the signs of SI and SA while assessing their client.

A client could be a harm the themself if they mention that they have been participating in self harm and suicide attempts. Another major warning sign in a case with this situation is if the client is expressing that they plan on continuing this behavior. Identification of the ethical standards that impact the case can help to determine whether the breach or maintain confidentiality. The client would require emergency medical attention if there is risk for suicide. Clarifying questions to ask before determining whether or not to break confidentiality including questioning the motive behind client's actions and if they intend in acting on their thoughts. Acknowledging that the client may just have thoughts and not a plan to carry out these actions can guide a counselor in determining how to handle this situation. It is important to gather information of the client's thoughts and inquire if there is a plan in place for hurting themself or committed suicide. It is also important to come to decision if they are likely to fall through with these desires. Consulting is important especially in the case of a possible end of life

Suicide has always been looked down upon and people would do just about everything in their willpower to prevent it. There are plenty methods to avert people from committing suicide such as the suicide health prevention hotline, support groups, friends, and family. However, all these methods are not as resourceful when the person is already dying. And, if the one who wants to commit suicide is lying in their death bed enduring an excruciating pain, then do the people who oppose suicide have the right to intervene with the dying person’s last wishes? Physician-assisted suicide is a practice where doctors decide to help end their hopelessly ill patient’s life painlessly even if he or she requests for it (Assisted Suicide). If doctors do follow the patient’s desired death, then are the doctors sending subliminal message saying these patients’ lives are now meaningless. Many believe the doctors treating the patients do not have the right to take lives instead save them, which leads to the religious factor in this situation. They believe the only way someone can be taken from this world is through the hands of God and any other way is simply wrong and immoral. Death is a delicate topic many try to ignore for however long they are able to. Humans have a very difficult time coping with the death of a loved one, so it is much harder for the friends and family to accept than the terminally ill. Although physician-assisted suicide permanently relieves the pain of a dying patient, PAS

Clinical concerns: Despite no current suicidal intent the client is a high potential risk for suicidal behaviors.

Suicide prevention is not a last minute activity. Textbooks on depression state it should be acted on as soon as possible. Unfortunately, suicidal people are often afraid that trying to get help may bring them more pain: being told they are stupid, foolish, sinful, or manipulative; rejection; punishment; suspension from school or job; written records of their condition; or involuntary commitment. Studies have found that seventy five percent of suicides have shown signs of deep despair weeks or months prior to their death. By the year 2020, the World Health Organization estimates that suicide, brought on by depression, will be the number two cause of lives lost

There are many types of approaches when seeking help for children and teens that are suicidal . One approach is known as the humanistic approach that involve in helping clients to developed the highest potential. Humanistic approach focuses on the positive aspects of others ad self-grown including self-actualization rather than negative behaviors or past. There are theories to explore when using humanistic approach such as client-centered, gestalt, and existential

Most suicidal people do not want death, they just want the pain to stop, so how can the pain they feel be resolved? The point of my paper is to find out the reasons that people become suicidal and how to prevent it from happening. People contemplate suicide till the end so by understanding the source of their pain, it is possible to prevent the unfortunate outcome of suicide. Don't ignore even the smallest of signs of suicide.

Mrs. Delappe is a 61 year old female who presented to the ED with suicidal ideation with a plan to overdose. At the time of the assessment Mrs. Delappe denies suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, and symptoms of psychosis. She reports relational issues with her mother yesterday and becoming overwhelmed. She reports fleeting suicidal ideation for several years. Mrs. Delappe reports a history of attempt 30 years ago. She reports a history of anxiety and depression. She reports when she gets around her mother it only takes 5 minutes before she gets anxious. Husband was present at the time of assessment. He confirms his wife does have fleeting suicidal ideation from time to time, however has never acted on them.

In assessing suicidal risk, the following three factors can be useful towards ethical thinking: Indirect statements and behavioral change, living alone, and depression. Indirect statements and behavioral change can be useful towards ethical thinking in assessing suicide because the client who is indirectly making statements such as “This time next year I won’t be here” or “I can’t take the pain any longer” may be stating the reason he will no longer be here anymore or can no longer take the pain is because suicide may an option at that point. Behavioral change can be useful in assessing suicide risk because it allows the therapist to observe the change. An example being a client who was once known as the talkative type going 100 miles an hour

Regardless of the abnormal behavior a potential suicide victim has, they have true feelings on suicide and they should be taken seriously.

In their study A New Perspective on the Anti-Suicide Effects with Ketamine Treatment, Lee, Syeda, Maruschak, Cha, Mansur, Wium-Anderson, Woldeyohannes, Rosenblat, and McIntyre, propose that the intravenous administration of Ketamine for patients suffering from acute suicidal ideation, is an effective treatment protocol. As described in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, this possible stopgap for an otherwise option vacant medical emergency may be a viable choice for patients experiencing acute suicidal ideation to include patients with a history of treatment resistant depression. Someone diagnosed with treatment resistant depression or treatment refractory depression can be defined as one who does not respond to pharmacological treatment

With the pressure that our generation endures, we are divided amongst the mentally stable and well, the not so stable. For a large portion, almost one million people each year, it has resulted in many lives lost. “Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people age 15 to 24” with “someone committing suicide every 18 minutes in the United States” (Twenge 108). It can be challenging to understand why someone would choose to take their own their life. “Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable” (“Suicide Prevention” par 3). With so many unrealistic expectations, no wonder it is so hard for us. Many people who face suicidal thoughts are too scared of mentioning their feelings to others, although most do not realize that quite a few individuals around them are facing the same anxiety. Just recently, my close friend Chris began showing signs of possible suicidal actions. This was new for me and I was never able to fully comprehend how or why he felt that way. “No one will be able to understand how he feels,”

Suicide is the act of intentionally ending one's own life. In the near future, I will be working a as a social worker. For this reason it’s probable to have contact with clients who are at risk of suicide. Therefore, I should to acquaint myself with the warning signs of suicide, appropriate responses and who to contact in time of crises. Two years ago, my 14 years old could has committed suicide and the whole family was divested. I remember talking to my cousin, not long ago and her still blaming herself for not recognizing the distress in her sister. She told that she feels that she could have done more and an older sister. I tried my best to comfort her in the best possible way I can. I was told by another member that my cousin wrote a note

Based on the couple’s current symptoms, severity, and diagnosis, and presentation, it is recommended that the couple participate in outpatient treatment with two certified sex therapists in their private practice. The therapists should specialize in gay identity issues and depression. If, at any time, suicidal ideation or attempts occur or if James’ safety is compromised due to his actions, a more comprehensive treatment plan can be produced, including individual therapy and/or a higher level of care can.