Suicide and Medical Advocacy

If a survivor mentions that he/she/they have the intention of attempting suicide/ taking their own life, you should immediately call the nurse to do a psych evaluation.

Asking a survivor directly if they are experiencing thoughts of suicide will give a non-suicidal person the idea to self-harm.

It is safe to assume that most people who express suicidal thoughts will NOT act on them.

If a survivor discloses that he/she/they intend(s) to commit suicide, a psych evaluation will be done to determine if they must be admitted for observation.

The danger of suicide has passed when a previously suicidal person seems to cheer up.

The PLAID PALS assessment tool, reminds us of the important things considering when assessing if a patient is suicidal. It is important to asses for the following elements: - Does the patient have a [blank_start]plan[blank_end]? Have they thought out how they would attempt/commit suicide?

The PLAID PALS assessment tool, reminds us of the important things considering when assessing if a patient is suicidal. It is important to asses for the following elements: - What is the [blank_start]lethality[blank_end] or likelihood that this plan will result in death?

The PLAID PALS assessment tool, reminds us of the important things considering when assessing if a patient is suicidal. It is important to asses for the following elements: - What is the [blank_start]availability[blank_end] to the tools necessary toward the plan? Does the patient have access to that method?

The PLAID PALS assessment tool, reminds us of the important things considering when assessing if a patient is suicidal. It is important to asses for the following elements: - Does the patient have a history of physical or mental [blank_start]illness[blank_end]?

The PLAID PALS assessment tool, reminds us of the important things considering when assessing if a patient is suicidal. It is important to asses for the following elements: - Is the patient experiencing [blank_start]depression[blank_end]? Are they experiencing feelings of hopelessness, inadequacy and guilt, accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep?

The PLAID PALS assessment tool, reminds us of the important things considering when assessing if a patient is suicidal. It is important to asses for the following elements: - Has the patient engaged in [blank_start]previous attempts[blank_end] to commit suicide in the past?

The PLAID PALS assessment tool, reminds us of the important things considering when assessing if a patient is suicidal. It is important to asses for the following elements: - Does the patient feel [blank_start]alone[blank_end] and without a support network? -

The PLAID PALS assessment tool, reminds us of the important things considering when assessing if a patient is suicidal. It is important to asses for the following elements: - Has the patient recently experienced a [relational, social, emotional, perceived, actual or professional] [blank_start]loss[blank_end]?

The PLAID PALS assessment tool, reminds us of the important things considering when assessing if a patient is suicidal. It is important to asses for the following elements: - Is the patient or has the patient in the past used substances or engaged in [blank_start]substance abuse[blank_end] to cope with adversities?