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Suicide Prevention

Katie Martinez

Ana G Mendez University: South Florida Campus

EDUC 584-0: Individual Counseling Techniques

Dr. Alejandro Torres

June 16, 2022

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Suicide Prevention

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in America. “On average, nearly 130

American die by suicide each day, that is 1 death every 11 minutes.” (MentalHealth.gov) Suicide

does not pick and choose who is affected through status or station in life. Some of the most

famous celebrities have lost their battle with mental illness to suicide. One of the most recent

cases being Naomi Judd. Although the statement did not indicate explicitly that she committed

suicide, the public statement made by her daughters stated, “they had lost their mother to ‘the

disease of mental illness’.” (Rosenblatt, NBC News)

Doctors Maria Oquendo and John Mann discuss the implications of suicide across

different developmental stages in the article Suicidal Behavior: A Developmental Perspective.

The article discusses the effects on suicidal behavior stating, “it has long been known that

suicidal behavior varies strikingly across the life span. One example is the ratio of nonfatal to

fatal suicide attempts, which goes from about 20:1 in youth to 4:1 in the elderly.” (Oquendo &

Mann) Today more and more of our young people are being diagnosed with anxiety and

depression with thoughts of suicide rising alarmingly. In the case of Naomi Judd she battled

severe depression most of her adult life and took her own life after that struggle with mental

illness. “Veterans and military personnel, members of the LGBTQ community, and white men

ages 44-65 and 85 and older are also more impacted by suicide.” (Robb-Dover)

The study of familial struggles with suicide also highlights the importance of suicidal

awareness within the family unit. “Because of improved understanding of the mechanisms, such

as heritability, involved in the familial transmission of suicidal behavior can shed light on

etiology, identify high-risk individuals, and frame targets for intervention and prevention.”

(Oquendo & Mann) Studying the etiology of various age groups and familial structures
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surrounding suicide and suicidal tendencies contribute to genetic and environmental explanations

for suicidal behaviors.

Although preventing every suicide is impossible, it is possible to recognize

common suicidal behaviors such as: verbal warnings, previous attempts, depression, sleep

disruption, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, loss and separation, anxiety and panic

attacks, suicide ideation (client has a plan), giving away possessions, finalizing business affairs,

history of hospitalization for psychiatric treatment, lack of support system, and history of drug or

alcohol abuse.

Some of the first steps that therapists and counselors can assist clients who exhibit these

behaviors is asking difficult questions which could indicate if further intervention is necessary.

 Are you thinking about killing yourself?

 Have you attempted suicide in the past?

 Do you have a plan?

 Do you have the means available to you?

 Will you make a no-suicide agreement to stay alive?

 Is there anyone close to you who could prevent you from killing yourself and to

whom you could speak I you feel suicidal?

Upon the initial evaluation and assessment of a client who is exhibiting suicidal thoughts

and behaviors the counselor can indicate if further treatment is necessary. In 5 Therapies That

Can Relieve Suicidal Thoughts, Kristina Robb-Dover discusses suicide-specific treatments to

help reduce those suicidal thoughts.

The first treatment she mentions is Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention. The

primary treatment is to focus on reducing the suicide risk and increasing coping skills
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surrounding cognitive distortions. In the end this treatment will focus on the fact that the client

will continue to have stressors and problems, but they will be equipped to deal with those

stressors and problems with coping mechanisms and they will no longer be automatically

triggered to suicidal behavior. This programs also focuses on strategies for relapse prevention to

help prevent suicidal behavior from returning.

The next therapy discussed is Dialectical Behavior Therapy. This therapy is essential to

help detach one’s thoughts and fixations on suicidal behaviors. “It’s like standing beside it and

looking without being involved in the thoughts.” The client is better equipped to “objectively say

that’s not them talking, it’s their depression, PTSD, stress, other condition that’s speaking.”

(Robb-Dover)

The Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality or CAMS for short is the

third therapy Robb-Dover discusses. In this therapy, a suicidal therapist designs and treatment

plan specific to suicide. Importance is placed on emphasizing identification and treatment of

suicidal drivers while developing a plan the client can use in their everyday life.

The fourth therapy Robb-Dover discusses is called Neurotherapy. “Neurostimulation

therapies include biofeedback, vibrational, and electrical stimulation approaches that help in the

brain’s neural repair process.” These therapies not only help with suicidal behaviors but assist in

reducing depression, anxiety, withdrawal, cravings, and difficulties with attention and memory.

Some of the specific neurostimulation therapies are: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

(tDAS), Transcranial Alternate Current Stimulation (tACS), Transcranial Advanced Pink Noise

Stimulation (tAPNS), Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (pEMF), and Biofeedback.

Researchers suggest that these neurostimulation therapies should be combined with medication

for best results, but this combination is effective in a quicker reduction in suicide.
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The last therapy suggested is in developing a Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness, or Physical

Activity practice. Although this should not be a primary intervention for reducing suicidal

behaviors and thoughts these practices can help with chronic, reoccurring patterns of depression,

anxiety and other mental health concerns that lead to the development of suicidal thoughts and

behaviors. These practices are best utilized in conjunction with counseling and other psychiatric

modalities as the main interventions.

Some of the primary resources when dealing with suicide prevention are listed below.

 https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention

 https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/suicide-prevention

 https://suicidology.org/

 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4302391/

Being prepared with these resources can help one develop a solid foundational grasp of how to

help someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

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References

MentalHealth.gov. (3/1/2022). Suicidal Behavior. MentalHealth.gov

Rosenblatt, K. (2022). Naomi Judd struggled with severe depression. It led her to advocate for

others with mental health issues. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-

news/naomi-judd-struggled-severe-depression-led-advocate-others-mental-heal-rcna26819

Corey, Corey, & Callanan. (2003). Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions. Pacific Grove:

Brooks/Cole

Oquendo & Mann. (2015). Suicidal Behavior: A Developmental Perspective. National Library of

Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4302391/

American Psychiatric Association. (2018). Suicide Prevention. American Psychiatric

Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/suicide-prevention

Robb-Dover. (2021). 5 Therapies That Can Relieve Suicidal Thoughts. FHE Health.

https://fherehab.com/learning/therapies-suicidal-thoughts