Suicide Prevention Risks And Assesments - Psychology - Essay

1. The journal article I chose that depicts suicide prevention is “Connectedness as a strategic direction for the prevention of suicidal behavior”. This article is part of a suicide prevention series called “ASAP” that is partnered with centers of disease control and prevention and the substance abuse and mental health service administration. The purpose of the project is to strengthen suicide prevention practices.
2. Losing your sense of belonging in the world can serve as a risk factor for suicide. The article “Preventing Suicide through Connectedness” talks about the concept of connectedness which as stated is “The degree to which a person or group is socially close, interrelated or shares resources with other persons or groups” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011)). This concept can be found in any interactions a person exhibits whether with friends, teachers, family, after school programs, work, their doctors or a higher power. Connectedness can help prevent suicidal thoughts or attempts but it depends on the group that the individual is associated with. Strong, positive relationships with others can help elevate depressive moods that lead to suicide, while groups that encourage negative behavior such as drug use can increase the risk of suicidal behaviors. Participation in organizations in the community such as churches and tribes can increase the feelings of belonging, and strengthen a persons identity and self worth as long as the participation is of the individuals willful choice and not by enforcement of family members or peers. Enforcement in general to connect with peers or communities can sometime negate the positivity in the interactions, resulting in increased suicidal behaviors. The best that anyone can do, is to promote connectedness and let the individual decide for themselves if this is something they want to partake in. When a person does exhibits suicidal thoughts, they are less likely to carry them out as they feel that the positive relationships they have made will be impacted. Those very s...