Supporting Clients at Risk of Suicide

Learning to recognise the signs of imminent suicide and knowing what to do to prevent it is crucial for mental health practitioners. Yet we also must acknowledge the complex and unique situation which suicidality poses for counsellors. With most presenting issues, counselling can help clients make change as a gradual process, enabling the counsellor to respond over time. Conversely, in situations where individuals are at risk of harm - such as when clients contemplate suicide - a pre-planned response and a proactive approach are required. Beyond that, practitioners acknowledge the paramount importance of not engaging in any treatment beyond their professional scope of expertise, especially in such a life-and-death issue as suicide. These factors occur in conjunction with the comorbid aetiology of most individuals at risk of suicide (that is, such individuals have other health issues as well), meaning that a robust response and comprehensive understanding of suicide risk and risk assessment are essential. The overall aims of this course are to help you offer effective professional support to those who may be at risk for suicide, by being able to: Identify warning signs that someone may be suicidal; Assess their risk of suicide, and; Identify the most effective methods of response to client suicide risk. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to: Understand suicide more deeply by defining suicide and suicidal behaviours and demonstrating awareness of the chief statistical trends relating to suicide; Name the categories of suicide; Explain the causes of suicide from the perspective of the Multi-Causal Model; Delineate the stages of individual experience leading to suicide as proposed in the Pathways to Suicide Model; Name the ten elements common in completed suicide by reciting a mnemonic; Name seven common myths or misconceptions about suicide; Identify the chief risk factors, behavioural and personality changes, and suicidal behaviours that indicate a client is moving toward suicide; Name at least five factors protecting people (including youth) against suicide; Assess how severely at risk for suicide a client is; Enact the six-step model of response to a client contemplating suicide of the impulsive type; Explain the three steps of response to a client planning to suicide; Generate a list of at least five steps a suicidal person can take to help themselves.