Question

Identify 3 risk factors and 3 protective factors that are important to assess when caring for the suicidal patient.

Answer 1

There are often factors in a patient's life that either increase or decrease suicide risk. Risk factors are those that increase the risk of suicide attempts or death by suicide. Protective factors are those that are associated with a decrease risk of suicide. A listing of suicide risk and protective factors is useful when assessing suicide risk in each patient that we see. Some of these factors also may be modifiable and knowing these can provide a guide for which risk factors might be reduced.

Risk factors are as follows :-

1) Previous history of suicide attempts

2)Mood disorders

3) Substance abuse

Protective factors are as follows :-

1) Effective mental health care

2)Connectedness to individuals, family, community and social institutions

3)Contacts with caregivers

Both risk and protective factors are important for interventions that help prevent suicide.

answered by: anonymous