Summary: <p>Live 10 Risk Factors, Warning Signs and Points to Remember About Suicidality</p> <p>Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC<br> Executive Director AllCEUs.com<br> Podcast Host: Counselor Toolbox<br> Objectives<br> ~ Identify general practice points to consider about suicidality<br> ~ Explore/review risk and protective factors for suicidality</p> <p>~Discuss ways to reduce risk and enhance protective factors<br> ~ Identify suicide warning signs IS PATH WARMED<br> ~ Learn the SPLASH acronym for suicide screening</p> <p>General Practice Points<br> • Clients should be screened for suicidal thoughts and behaviors routinely at intake and at specific points in the course of treatment<br> • Screening for clients with high risk factors should occur regularly throughout treatment. (preferably at each episode)<br> • Counselors should be prepared to develop and implement a treatment plan to address suicidality and coordinate the plan with other providers.<br> • If a referral is made, counselors should check that referral appointments are kept and continue to monitor clients after crises have passed, through ongoing coordination with mental health providers and other practitioners, family members, and community resources, as appropriate.</p> <p>General cont…<br> • Counselors should acquire basic knowledge about the role of warning signs, risk factors, and protective factors as they relate to suicide risk.<br> • Counselors should be empathic and nonjudgmental with people who experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors.<br> • Counselors should understand the impact of their own attitudes and experiences with suicidality on their counseling work with clients.<br> • Counselors should understand the ethical and legal principles and potential areas of conflict that exist in working with clients who have suicidal thoughts and behaviors.</p> <p>General cont.<br> • Suicide risk may increase at transition points in care), especially when a planned transition breaks down. Anticipating risk at such transition points should be regarded as an issue in treatment planning.<br> • Suicide risk may increase when a client is terminated administratively (e.g., because of poor attendance, chronic substance use) or is refused care.<br> ~ It is unethical to discharge a client and/or refuse care to someone who is suicidal without making appropriate alternative arrangements for treatment to address suicide risk.<br> • Suicide risk may increase in clients with a history of suicidal thoughts or attempts who relapse. Treatment plans for such clients should provide for this possibility.<br> General cont.<br> • Suicide risk may increase in clients with a history of suicidal thoughts or attempts who imply that the worst might happen if they relapse (e.g., “I can't go through this again,” “if I relapse, that's it”)—especially for those who make a direct threat (e.g., “This is my last chance; if I relapse, I'm going to kill myself”).<br> • Suicide risk may increase when clients are experiencing acute stressful life events. Treatment should be adjusted by adding more intensive treatment, closer observation, or additional services to manage the life crises.</p> <p>10 Risk Factors<br> • Mental health conditions<br> ~ Depression<br> ~ Substance use problems<br> ~ Bipolar disorder<br> ~ Schizophrenia<br> ~ Emotional dysregulation<br> ~ Conduct disorder<br> ~ Anxiety disorders<br> • Serious or chronic health conditions and/or pain<br> • Traumatic brain injury<br> 10 Risk Factors<br> • Precipitants/triggering events leading to humiliation, shame, or despair (e.g., loss of relationship, health or financial status – real or anticipated<br> ~ Prolonged stress, such as harassment, bullying, relationship problems or unemployment<br> ~ Stressful life events, which may include a death, divorce or job loss<br> • Exposure to another person’s suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of suicide includin</p>
