Preventing suicide

Article Abstract:

Nurses are well placed to develop a role in the prevention of suicide, since their contact with clients can be frequent, prolonged and therapeutic. Evidence shows that nurses have not made full use of suicide-prevention opportunities, due to factors including inertia, complacency, constraints on resources and a lack of appropriate training. Nurses must boost their ability to assess suicide risk, by accepting that this is part of their role, and by using developments in suicide research. Risk assessment must be sensitive, systemic and comprehensive.

United Kingdom, Practice, Social policy, Nurses

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Suicide in later life: how to spot the risk factors

Article Abstract:

Mental and physical health problems along with social problems are the three main risk factors associated with suicide in older people. There is therefore a need for a wide range of key nursing skills to detect risk by accurate observation and listening to the patient. Older people living alone should be regularly visited by health visitors or district nurses, particularly following a bereavement or after discharge from hospital. Nurses need to be trained to recognise mental health problems, particularly depression.

Aged, Elderly

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Smiles belied an inner torment

Article Abstract:

A senior mental health professional describes an experience of suicide he encountered as a young nurse. He was in his twenties when he became unofficial key worker to a young male day patient. The young man seemed to be making good progress. He was smiling, employing good social skills and planning a return to work, but he committed suicide. The mental health worker recalls his grief and self-blame at the time, but has learnt from the experience to be wary of apparent recovery in depressive patients.

Personal narratives, Cover Story, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Psychiatric personnel, Mental health personnel

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