INDICATORS OF SUICIDAL IDEATION

Increased stress and anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, a history of trauma, and lack of social support can all put adolescents at increased risk for suicide. These are largely internal risk factors, hidden from others. How might they manifest as warning signs observable by others? Social workers—particularly those in schools—are poised to notice these warning signs.

For this Discussion, you consider observable actions or demeanors that indicate suicidal ideation in adolescents. First, you watch a video of Stephanie Parker, who is an adult talking about her experience attempting suicide as a teen. Then, you imagine how you would have responded to Stephanie as the school social worker at the time.

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

TO PREPARE:

· Review the Learning Resources on suicide in adolescents.

· Watch the Parker Family video in the Learning Resources, paying particular attention to Stephanie’s disclosure of suicidal behavior when she was an adolescent.

BY DAY 3

Post your initial response to the following:

· After learning about Stephanie, imagine that you had been the school social worker at the time of her suicidal ideation. Which indicators would you have looked for in Stephanie and why?

· How would you have responded to each of those indicators? What kinds of questions would you have asked her and why?

Please use the Learning Resources to support your response.

BY DAY 6

Respond to two colleagues by proposing an intervention that would address the indicators identified. Explain the potential impact of social work interventions such as this on adolescents’ lives. How might Stephanie’s adolescent life have improved with this intervention?