Managing Adolescent Suicidal Tendency - Essay Example

Situation:

            Tara is generally considered, on all grounds, a 5th-grade student with few academic difficulties. She is socially well-adjusted according to the teacher. The teacher has discovered a page in her notebook that she repeatedly writes “I want to die”. Counselor asks Tara and she says that she is being teased in class.

Introduction:

            Teenage suicide is a real problem feared by many parents nowadays. Approximately two thousand adolescents commit suicide each year (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2001). Suicidal tendencies are more prevalent in teenage girls but suicidal attempts are less likely to succeed as compared with adolescent boys.

Major Areas of Concern:

            A thorough assessment shall be made on the suicidal behavior of the child paying attention particularly to the following major areas: (1) risk for death and repetition, (2) underlying diagnoses – if had already been identified as existing, and (3) the promoting factors.

Sources of Information:

            The sources of information can be derived through conducting interviews and observations of the child and her immediate family. Teachers and classmates are good sources of information too knowing that the child mentioned as being teased in class.

Necessary Information:

            The necessary information that should be gathered to ascertain the probable risk factors that triggered the child’s suicidal behavior as listed on the psychiatric-disorders.com website are the following: (1) a family history of suicide or mental health problems, (2) if the child has run away from home, (3) physical, emotional, or sexual abuse experienced by the child at home, (4) a recognized psychiatric such as depression, (5) a relationship breakdown, (6) family disturbance such as divorce, (7) bullying in school, (8) poor exam results, and (9) being diagnosed to have a chronic illness. Also, immediate signs and symptoms of suicidal tendencies (e.g. reckless behavior, threats to harm self, becoming distant from friends and family, signs of anxiety and depression, use of alcohol or drugs, giving away possessions) shall be gathered.

Other Possible Sources of Information:

            Information about the child’s background can also be derived from interviewing the child’s boyfriend, close friends, peers, and the family’s healthcare provider/consultant. Books, journals, and other types of publications related to adolescent suicide can be a good source of information that will aid in further understanding and management of this case.