Assessing & Preventing the Risk of SuicideAMY LORENZ, MSSW, LCSW

DEPUTY, COMMUNITY ACCESS TO RECOVER SERVICES & DIRECTOR OF CRISIS SERVICES

MILWAUKEE COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION

Suicidology 101

• There is no one factor that causes someone to kill herself/himself

• Most often there is a complicated and confusing mix of

-Current stressors and losses

-Old psychological wounds

-Genetic or biological factors

-A psychiatric illness

-Alcohol or other drug abuse issues

-A readily available way of dying

Common Risk Factors

• Previous suicide attempt

*A past history of suicide attempts is one of the strongest risk factors for death by suicide

• Availability of lethal means

• Few available sources of support relationships

• High-conflict or violent relationships

• Family history of suicide

• Substance abuse

Common Risk Factors Cont.

• Life loss or crisis

• Mental illness

• History of abuse

• Serious Illness and/or pain

• Impulsivity or aggression

• Barriers to healthcare

There is no one cause of suicide and no single type of suicidal person.

Protective Factors

We know much more about the protective factors that prevent suicide attempts

• Lack of serious history

• No active substance abuse issues

• Connectedness to other people; supportive family and loved ones

• Long term medication maintenance and monitoring

• Specific therapist targeting suicidal thoughts and actions

• Religious and spiritual affiliation (in some)

• Pets/responsibilities

• Good insight

• HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

The Bad News: Predicting Suicidality

Studies have tested suicide prediction models based on standard risk criteria-none has demonstrated any ability to predict suicide.

Research on this Topic

• Retroactive review of approx. 200 records in 2009 of California “Tarasoff” cases showed no difference in outcome, despite the use of 3 varying scales

• Meta-analysis of 556 studies (2011, Edmonton) showed no clinical evidence of any one study helping to predict long term SI/HI instances

What Can We Do?: Screen for Suicide

Screening for suicide risk should be a universal part of primary care, hospital and emergency department care, behavioral health care, and crisis response intervention. Any person who screens positive for possible suicide risk should be formally assessed for suicidal ideation, plans, means availability, presence of acute risk factors, history of suicide attempts, and level of risk.

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Screening Tools

Regardless of the setting, if a screen yields a positive result for potential suicide risk, then a full assessment should be completed by a professional with appropriate and specific training in assessment for and evaluating suicide risk.

Screening Tools:

• Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

• PHQ-9

IS PATH WARM?

Ideation- Threatened or communicated

Substance abuse- Excessive or increased

Purposeless- No reasons for living

Anxiety- Agitation/Insomnia

Trapped- Feeling there is no way out

Hopelessness

Withdrawing - From friends, family, society

Anger (uncontrolled)- Rage, seeking revenge

Recklessness - Risky acts; Seemingly without thinking

Mood Changes (dramatic)

You cannot predict death by suicide, but you can identify people who are at increased risk for suicidal behaviors, take precautions, and refer them for effective treatment.

What to do if you think a person is having suicidal thoughts?

Ask the person directly if he or she

(1) is having suicidal thoughts/ideas

“Are you thinking about killing yourself?”

“Have you ever tried to hurt yourself before?”

“Do you think you might try to hurt yourself today?”

(2) has a plan to do so

“Have you thought of ways that you might hurt yourself?”

What to do…

(3) has access to lethal means.

“Do you have pills/weapons in the house?”

Asking these questions will not increase the person’s suicidal thoughts. It will give you the information that indicates how strongly the person has thought about killing him/herself.

What to do… ACT!

• If you think the person might harm him/herself, do not leave the person alone.

• Say to the person, “I’m going to get you some help”.

• Get the person help from a professional that can assess the person’s risk and protective factors to help determine the level of care needed and help the individual create a safety plan.

Ways to be Helpful

• Be aware- learn the risk factors and where to get help

• Be direct- talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide

• Be willing to listen

• Be non-judgmental

• Be available

• Don’t act shocked

• Don’t ask “why”

• Offer hope that alternatives are available

Ways to be Helpful Cont.

• Take action- remove the means to harm self

• Get help from others with more experience and expertise

• Be actively involved in encouraging the person to see a mental health professional as soon as possible and ensure that an appointment is made

The Good News: Prevention and Intervention

• More and more research findings are being disseminated to the general public and a range of professionals (like yourselves) aimed at prevention and early intervention.

• More therapists are receiving trainings such as:

-Certification in Clinical Suicidology (AAS)

-Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk: Core Competencies for Mental Health

Professionals (SPRC)

-Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

• More therapists are being trained to assess and treat survivors and their families.

A Voice at the Table

• www.voiceatthetable.com

• A 35 minute documentary highlighting the stories of suicide attempt survivors and those with lived experience

• Those with lived experience are an inspiration to those who are or who have been suicidal

• Their words educate all of us working toward suicide prevention

Resources

• American Association of Suicidology (www.suicidology.org)

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org)

• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (www.sprc.org)

• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (www.actionalallianceforsuicideprevention.org)

• National Suicide Prevention Lifelines (www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

References

• “Advances in Suicidology: What We Know and Don’t Know”; Dr. Michael F. Myers, MD; NSPG 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention Conference; 2014.

• “Risk Management”; Dr. Tony Thrasher, D.O.; presentation; 2011.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

• Suicide Risk Assessment Guide; United States Department of Veterans Affairs.