Premium
Suicide prevention: The role of families and carers
Author(s) -
Edwards Todd M.,
Patterson Jo Ellen,
Griffith James L.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
asia‐pacific psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.654
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1758-5872
pISSN - 1758-5864
DOI - 10.1111/appy.12453
Subject(s) - secrecy , psychology , silence , collateral , suicide prevention , medicine , medical emergency , poison control , computer security , computer science , business , philosophy , finance , aesthetics
Families and carers can play an important role in helping prevent suicide. Unfortunately, silence and secrecy within the family environment have sometimes prevented family members from intervening to potentially change the course of suicide intent. This article describes a family‐oriented assessment process that can facilitate family‐involvement in care. Suicide risk assessment requires a skilled interview with the individual patient to determine accurately suicidal intent. However, family members provide a vital source of collateral information for assessing risk and the relational support needed to diminish risk. Strength‐based strategies for intervening with patients and family members to help prevent suicide are described.