Suicide Risk Assessment: Change, Hope, Connection

B. L. Murray studied suicide risk assessments from the perspective of youth by interviewing youth who were considered stable, but in the past had participated in a suicide risk assessment interview. His research used thematic analysis, and the “three major themes that emerged from the data were change, hope, and connection” (Murray 159).

Change: the adolescent participants described “the initial assessment interview as helpful, beneficial, reducing their anxiety, and giving them a sense of getting things under control” (159). They also described a “change in their thinking, other intrapersonal changes, and a change in interpersonal relationships over time as a result of the assessment process” (159). The participants also cited that their thinking and behavior had changed. The recognition that things can change is crucial for youth with suicidal thoughts because they often have a sense of “hopelessness, helplessness, and powerlessness” (160), and knowing of possible changes can give them hope for the future.

Hope: This notion of ‘hope’ is also crucial for teens with suicidal thoughts. The participants in this study “spoke of their recognition of their own ability to deal with their problems and issues, and the importance of not feeling along” (160).

Connection: Feeling a connection with the person doing the assessment is important so the youth feels that someone cares about them. The participants “also spoke of the importance of active listening and a sense of genuineness … as adolescents are usually very astute at identifying a lack of sincerity or acceptance” (161).

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

1. Development Questions
2. Demographics of Youth Suicide: Gender, Age,Geography, Socioeconomic Status
3. Risk Factors for Suicidal Behavior
4. Warning Signs and Common Myths
5. Exposure to Peer Suicide – Grief
6. Suicide Risk Assessment: Change, Hope,ConnectionYOU ARE HERE!
7. Establishing aConnection: Empathy versus Sympathy
8. Suicide and SocialNetworking Sites
9. Frameworks: ACommunity Based Approach to Preventing Youth Suicide
10. Suicide Intervention and Prevention in Alberta
11. Works Cited