Adolescent Suicide

According to King's article, "Practical Strategies for Preventing Adolescent Suicide", there are three steps to suicide prevention. The first step is "prevention". In this step, a social worker would need to gain awareness of suicide warning signs, risk factors, and take referral steps for the client. Warning signs can be behavioral, verbal, or environmental. The most common suicide warning signs are relationship loss, substance abuse, helplessness, isolation, weight fluctuation, financial loss, feelings of shame, family history of suicide, impulsivity, and depression lasting for more than two weeks. If warning signs are present, step two is "intervention". A social worker should show the client that they care about them, and should ask directly about their thoughts, feelings, plans, and means regarding suicide. If a client is suicidal, it is of utmost importance to provide them with a secure surrounding and maintain their safety. The worker should never leave a suicidal client alone. Direct questions and expression of feelings is extremely important in this step. If a client attempts suicide, the next step would be "postvention". During this step, a social worker should strive to build positive connections for the client and work toward set goals. Deglorification of suicide is key here. The worker should help the client learn new and effective coping skills, develop positive peer groups, and build conflict resolution skills. It is important to focus on strengths and build self-esteem and academic achievement, and to increase the client's involvement in activities that meet their interests.