Explain how you can determine whether or not a client is suicidal.

Assignment: Working with a Suicidal Client
“In the United States, recent reports indicate that suicide was the seventh leading cause of death for men (accounting for 2.3 percent of total deaths), whereas it was the 15th leading cause of death for women (accounting for 0.6 percent of total deaths)…Suicide now ranks as the third most common cause of death in the United States for 15–19 year olds (after accidents and homicide), accounting for approximately 11 percent of total deaths” (Kochanek et al., 2011). These statistics underscore the importance of accurately assessing a client’s suicidal tendencies. To maintain a high level of care and plan appropriate treatment, you should always consider the risk of suicide in depressed clients. This is true even when a client does not routinely entertain thoughts of suicide or when suicide is not addressed in a session.
To prepare:
Review this week’s Learning Resources.
Focus on the information on suicide on pages 246-255.
Consider the psychological, biological, and sociocultural factors associated with suicide.
The Assignment: (1–2 pages)
Explain how you can determine whether or not a client is suicidal.
Explain how you would treat a suicidal client, produce ongoing assessments, and follow up with the client.
Explain any challenges that might occur and how you might address them.

Last Completed Projects