This incident presents several demands for works and is complex as a result of what was disclosed by F4. The expression of thoughts of self-harm by F4 put the facilitators in the very difficult position of having to not focus on an individual and to stay focused on the group as a whole. Though it is assumed that this is a difficult task for social workers in a general sense, I am of the opinion that when a potentially serious and/or a complex issue arise that it increases the difficulty. The group member that disclosed the thought of self-harm felt safe and connected, which is why she was able to disclose such intimate thoughts with the group. The fact that F4 was able to share such information is a positive reflection on the mutual aid of this group, though it may have been too much too soon or not appropriate, because of the nature of the disclosure. This is not to imply that it was easy for her to disclose what she did and it clearly was not easy for the group to hear this information. The disclosure of thoughts of self-harm by F4, which she felt was a result of the stress she was under, is the first demand for work to be examined. Self-harm is not to be confused with suicidal behavior; “self-harmers say that inflicting pain on themselves does make them feel better and it is used to make life more manageable (Thornton, 2015, p. 189).” This disclosure is complex as she comfortable with disclosing the thought of using self-harm to cope with the stress, which is the intent
If there is risk of harm to self and others than it is the clinician’s duty of care to disclose it. Thorough and systematic evaluation of risk for suicide and self harm is imperative for safety planning and decision making for treatment. Harm minimisation responses must be specific to the client’s unmet needs. It is important to educate the client about online help forums in case of emergency and for later support. Liaison with other health practitioners and follow-up are part of management plans. If the clinician sees the need for referral than that must be addressed with the client’s consent.
Mr. Setzer is a 21 year old male who presented to the ED with suicidal ideation with a plan to stab himself with a knife. Mr. Setzer stated thoughts of self harm has been getting worst since girlfriend had fetal demise and then ended the relationship. At the time of the assessment Mr. Setzer denies suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, and symptoms of psychosis. He acknowledges yesterday becoming overwhelmed with thoughts of harming himself. He proceeded to grab a knife and attempt to stab himself in the stomach, however was stopped by his grandmother. Mr Setzer reports recently he has been experiencing feelings of hopelessness, insomnia over the past 3 days, isolation, and tearfulness. Mr. Setzer expresses relational issues and loss of his
Warning signs for self-mutilation can be wearing covering clothing when it is warm out, and not letting people touch where they might be cutting themselves. It was once believed that people who self injure were just doing it for attention but recent studies have proven otherwise. A quote from the research from the CASE study in Europe stated that “The findings of this study show that adolescents who deliberately self-harm often report both cry of pain and cry for help motives. The majority of youngsters wanted to get relief from a terrible state of mind and/ or wanted to die with their act of self-harm. Although the study shows that there is also a cry for help, this type of motive seems to be less prominent than the cry of pain, which is inconsistent with the popular notion that adolescents deliberate self-harm is ‘only’ a cry for help (Scoliers, 2009). With this knowledge we need to make sure we help the children who are not only doing it to
Patient is a 53-year-old female who presented to the ED after a attempt to commit suicide by cutting both her wrist. Patient stated: "I don't care about my life, I can die and it would not matter to me." Patient becomes tearful and expresses when she was cutting her wrist she didn't die. LEO brought patient into the ED from DayMark recovery services under IVC. At the time of assessment, patient endorses feeling suicidal with a plan. Patient reports health, conflict with neighbors, and financial issues as the primary factors contributing to her current distress. Patient reports having a history of suicide attempts by overdose, the last being "years ago". Patient reports no hospitalizations from incidents. Patient reports a history of domestic
This mentality of punishment over treatment and the perception of violent acts towards oneself is only an act of attention seeking, seems to be a common theme in the treatment and handling of suicides and mental health in
I used to be a cutter… but shh, don’t tell. Society didn't allow me to express my pain that way…Today’s society refuses to acknowledge many problems that teens deal with. People would rather believe in ‘happily ever after’ than face the truth, children are suffering. While it may seem to others that the problems are made up, its very real to the one dealing with them everyday. This suffering can leave permanent scars, and damage (if not ruin) their future. By remaining ignorant, self harm becomes more and more common, but at what cost? If educators and medical personnel were to be more educated on self harm and how to deal with it, teens and young adults would be more comfortable asking for help. Getttig rid of the stereotypes that
On March 22nd, I completed an evaluation for a 16-year-old Caucasian female, who was referred to the Crisis unit by Hampton Academy School. Today was the patients second day attending this academy, and she reported suicidal ideations—without any plan— to the school social worker. The patient reported that she has been "feeling suicidal, not okay, and at her breaking point "(Anonymous, personal communication, March 22, 2016). The Patient stated that her Grandfather passed away—in the home—in February, and she constantly relives the experience of seeing him lifeless in their home, as well as her past bullying experiences. The patient reported that she can still visualize her grandfather, as well as hear the perpetrator calling her a "fat bitch"(Anonymous, personal communication, March 22, 2016). The patient stated that she "doesn 't really have a plan to commit suicide, but there is one in the back of [her] head: pills, bleed out, or cut really deep"(Anonymous, personal communication, March 22, 2016). Patient reported that she does cut, burn, or scratch herself sometimes to relieve the psychological pain, but confirmed that those are only her coping mechanisms. Patient reported that she doesn 't always feel suicidal, but she feels this way on and off. The patient denies any past suicide attempts, homicidal ideations, and hallucinations. The Patient reported current thoughts of suicide, but would not reference wanting to die
Mr. White is a 38-year-old male who presented to the ED with suicidal ideation and a plan to stab himself. Mr. White stated: "I found out that I can't stay with my brother or mother." LEO brought Mr. White into the ED under IVC from DayMark. At the time of assessment, Mr. White endorses feeling suicidal with a plan. Mr. White reports family conflict as the primary stressors contributing to his current distress. Mr. White since being told by his brother this past Friday he has been hearing voicing and having suicidal thoughts. Mr. White reports having a history of multiple suicide attempts, the last one being a few years ago when he attempted to stab and hang himself. Mr. White has a history of child abuse by his grandfather. Mr. White currently
An event that profoundly changed my life was my 14-year-old brother’s suicide attempt. This tragedy brought with it intense, uncontrollable changes for my family, including strained relationships, challenged beliefs, depleted trust, and copious amounts of guilt. In addition, it took a toll on everyone’s mental health, including my own. After getting over the initial shock of almost losing my brother, I fell into a heavy depression. My perception of my brother and family felt shattered and violated, and I struggled to come to terms with how things had changed. Whenever I tried to discuss the experience, it felt uncomfortable and inappropriate, as if it should never be spoken of. As a result, I fell into an unfortunately common behavior for those in helping professions; I did not address my own needs and concerns. I felt acknowledging that I could not cope with these changes on my own would disqualify me from being a successful social worker. If I could not even help myself, I thought, how could I possibly hope to help others?
Three years ago Tim experienced a traumatic event. He was involved in a serious car accident that killed seven people, including his wife. He reports feeling responsible for the accident, as he was texting and veered into oncoming traffic. After this event, Tim reports that he felt “depressed”, suicidal, “sad”, “shameful”, and “guilty.” Tim shared that currently he doesn’t feel “depressed” as he has a plan to “end the pain.”
Deliberate self-harm is a term that covers a wide range of behaviours some of which are directly related to suicide and some are not. This is a relatively common behaviour that is little understood. This essay provides an overview of the nature and extent of those most at risk of self-harm, including causes and risk factors. Examining some of the stereotyping that surrounds self -harm, and looking at ways in which self-harm can be prevented.
It has been discovered that there is a relationship between abuse and late-life suicide. Newly found evidence has shown that child abuse whether it be physical, sexual or emotional, can affect suicide behavior and can be linked to many deaths. Studies have shown that life-time suicidal attempts and ideation tend to be three times greater in individuals who have a past related to sexual or physical abuse compared to individuals who haven’t had any of these experiences in their past. These higher risks may relate to the higher rates of psychiatric disorders found in victims of abuse. When a victim of childhood abuse is diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, whether it be severe or mild, the victim may already be unstable and have days where they are fine and others where they are not in their right mind. The instability of psychiatric disorders makes it that much easier for an individual who has had a past full of abuse to attempt or commit suicide. It is resulted that depression is a sign of suicidal behavior; however, different mediators can affect the extent of the suicidal behavior depending on the extent of abuse they have inflicted a child. Anxiety is another common psychiatric disorder that may cause a risk for suicide ideation, attempts or actual completions due to always being on edge, antisocial and insecure. Anxiety
Social workers need to determine when it is appropriate to share confidential information outside with outside sources. Social workers are required to release information based on allegations or reports of and serious harm or detremantial counqenses to the clients well being. If the client reports ongoing domestic abuse , threats of harming others or discloses plans to commit suicide it is the legal obligation of the social worker to take immediate action and release this information to outside agengencies such as the authorities or other healthcare workers.
Helping individuals suffering from suicidal ideations and attempts at self-harm calls upon a social worker’s ethical obligation to service. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, “social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and address social problems” (National Association of Social Workers, 2008). A way to fulfill this duty is by giving first responders the tools necessary to adequately talk with people in crisis and on the brink of suicide. “Considered a preventable cause of death, suicide is a major public health concern in many industrial and post-industrial countries, and one of the three leading causes of death worldwide among individuals from 15 to 44 years of age” (Hoy, Natarajan, & Petra, 2016).
this first hand account may seem insane to someone who has never felt that desperate for release but for someone who self harms, its no big deal. When some people battle with depression, they get moments where they don't think clearly and can lash out at themselves or others. In this instance, she lashed out at herself and this helped her focus on something other than her depression, which had been clouding her mind recently.