Suicide and suicide risk factors

74 views 8:16 am 0 Comments May 19, 2023

The Beyond Blue website is a very useful resource for anyone wanting to learn more about identifying the signs that someone is feeling suicidal or planning to die by suicide. Clink on the links to read more about suicide facts and myths, identifying warning signs and how to talk to someone who is at risk.

Reference: Beyond Blue. (2020). Suicide. Retrieved from https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/suicide-prevention

Suicide and suicide risk factors: A literature review.

This article provides a good summary of a wide range of research into suicide. It provides insight into the concept of suicide and risk factors, as well as elements of assessment for suicidal ideation.

Reference: Masango, S. M., Rataemane, S. T., & Motojesi, A. A. (2008). Suicide and suicide risk factors: A literature review. South African Family Practice, 50(6), 25-29. Retrieved from https://medpharm.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/20786204.2008.10873774

Suicidal behaviour in children and adolescents

Please read the introduction and Chapter 1 in this book (pp. 1-42). These give an easy to read account of suicide and suicide attempts amongst young people. Most evidence is taken from the USA, but there are international comparisons as well. You will note that access to firearms is the biggest risk to suicide completion among young people, and it explains the difference between self-harm and suicide attempts.

Reference: Wagner, B. M. (2009). Suicidal behaviour in children and adolescents [e-book]. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.torrens.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=302173&site=ehost-live&authtype=ip,sso&custid=ns251549&ebv

Therapists’ experience of working with suicidal clients

This article provides detail-rich insight into the experiences of therapists who have worked with clients who ended their own lives. It strongly suggests the need for self-care and careful supervision for therapists who have lived this reality and also unravels common themes of feeling among these professionals. Please read this article and reflect on your own experience and whether you can identify any signs of VT or burnout in yourself that need addressing.

Reference: Rossouw, G., Smythe, E., & Greener, P. (2011). Therapists’ experience of working with suicidal clients. Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, 11(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.2989/IPJP.2011.11.1.4.1103

Suicide in Australia

The Australian Department of Health’s website provides plenty of statistics and background into the context of suicide in Australia. Take a look through Section 3 in particular to familiarise yourself with the findings here.

Reference: Australian Government Department of Health. (2014). Suicide in Australia. Retrieved from https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/suicide-prevention-activities-evaluation~background~suicide-in-australia

Suicide, self-harm and suicide ideation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth

This article looks at the different experiences of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in relation to suicide than in the non-Indigenous population. The former experience a far higher risk to death by suicide than the latter, and this article seeks to unpack the factors contributing to this.

Reference: Dickson, J. M., Cruise, K., McCall, C. A., & Taylor, P. J. (2019). A systematic review of the antecedents and prevalence of suicide, self-harm and suicide ideation in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(17). Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.torrens.idm.oclc.org/docview/2329501297/fulltextPDF/AEF5501249CB4DD5PQ/1?accountid=176901

Suicide, survivors and supervision

This article looks at the aftermath of a suicide and its potential impact on the helping professional. It highlights the need for self-care and good supervision in order to help the professional process the experience and avoid burnout and compassion fatigue.

Reference: Eke, L. (2009). Suicide, survivors and supervision. Therapy Today, 20(10), 30-32. Retrieved from http://torrens.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=47398474&site=ehost-live

About suicide

Take a look at the Life In Mind website and read the section ‘About suicide’. This gives a thorough oversight of the Australian experience of suicide and highlights the particular needs of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, LGBQTI+ and older male populations, all of whom are over-represented in suicide statistics in this country. It looks at many aspects of suicide including prevention and lived experience.

Reference: Life in Mind. (2020). About suicide. Retrieved from https://lifeinmindaustralia.com.au/about-suicide

Recovery, spirituality and psychotherapy

This article looks at the role of spirituality in healing from addiction and also examines spirituality in those who heal. It highlights the positive experience of working with spiritual principles for all those involved.

Reference: Drobin, F. (2014). Recovery, spirituality and psychotherapy. Journal of Religion and Health, 53(3), 789-795. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.torrens.idm.oclc.org/docview/1514171476?OpenUrlRefId=info:xri/sid:wcdiscovery&accountid=176901

Spirituality in healthcare plays a huge part in patients’ recovery

This video gives a really good overview of the role spirituality plays in helping the helping professional to improve effectiveness with clients and avoid compassion fatigue and burnout. It uses nursing as its context, but is equally applicable to any helping profession.

Reference: University of Huddersfield. (2014, Nov 7). Spirituality in health care plays a huge part in patients’ recovery [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZFjrgxvBuw

Spirituality and mental health across cultures

Read Chapter 3 in this book (pp. 59-69). It provides a diverse examination of the intersection between spirituality and wellbeing. You may find the examples expand your understanding of what spirituality can mean.

Reference: Fernando, S. (2007). Spirituality and mental health across cultures. In M. E. Coyte, P. Gilbert, & V. Nicholls (Eds.), Spirituality, values and mental health. Jewels for the journey (pp. 59-69) [e-book]. Retrieved from http://torrens.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=236262&site=ehost-live&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_59

Critical spirituality

Read Chapter 6 (pp. 91-104) in this book. It encourages self-reflection around your personal spiritual beliefs and encourages you to examine your values and where they may come from. Work through the questions in this chapter in order to enhance awareness of your own spirituality and how you may incorporate it at work for the benefit of yourself and your clients.

Reference: Gardner, F. (2011). Critical spirituality: A holistic approach to contemporary practice [e-book]. Retrieved from http://torrens.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=398310&site=ehost-live&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_91

Spiritual practices

Read Chapter 12 (pp. 220-245) in this book. It provides a wonderfully rich list of spiritual practices. You may find something in there that you can use to help build your own spiritual connection, or you may find ideas in there that you could usefully recommend to clients.

Reference: Culliford, L. (2010). The psychology of spirituality: An introduction [e-book]. Retrieved from http://torrens.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=387933&site=ehost-live&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_220

What does it mean to be spiritual?

This article in The Conversation seeks to give a point of view on what spirituality can mean.

Reference: The Conversation. (2017). What does it mean to be spiritual? Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-spiritual-87236