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Suicide. Interventions Before & After. The Suicidal Perspective. The person feels: hopeless helpless worthless looking for a way to end their pain (and sometimes to punish the survivors) stressed and depressed. Assessing for Suicidal Lethality. S A D P A R S O N S.
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Suicide Interventions Before & After
The Suicidal Perspective • The person feels: • hopeless • helpless • worthless • looking for a way to end their pain (and sometimes to punish the survivors) • stressed and depressed
Assessing for Suicidal Lethality • S • A • D • P • A • R • S • O • N • S
Assessing for Suicidal Lethality • SEX • AGE • DEPRESSION • PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS • ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE • RATIONAL THINKING LOSS • SOCIAL SUPPORT LACKING • ORGANIZED PLAN • NO LIFE PARTNER • SICKNESS
Assess with RIGOR • Recognition of Intention • “Ideas-in-the-Head” Myth • Gradual Questioning • Organized Plan • Referral Network • Andrew J. Weaver, “Suicide Prevention: What Clergy Need to Know,” J. of Psychology & Christianity 12 (1), 1993, 70-79. And Harold G. Koenig & Andrew J. Weaver, Counseling Troubled Older Adults. Nashville: Abingdon, 1997, 71.
Third leading cause of death for adolescents Male adolescents are 5 times more likely to commit suicide than females, although females attempt suicide more often than males Rate higher among whites than nonwhites Warning signs School problems Frequent incidents of self-destructive behavior Loss of appetite or excessive eating Withdrawal from others Sleeping problems Signs of depression Preoccupation with death Putting affairs in order Announcement of thoughts of suicide Adolescent Suicide