Risk Factors for Suicide: What therapists should know when treating teens and adults

Curt and Katie chat about suicide risk factors. Suicide rates have been increasing across the nation and there is an increasing need for the mental health workforce to be prepared to assess and intervene with clients of all ages. We take an in-depth look at the risk and protective factors associated with suicidal ideology and behaviors in both teens and adults. We also lay the beginning foundations of a suicide model to help clinicians better understand and intervene with clients exhibiting suicidal thoughts. This is a continuing education podcourse.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we explore what makes someone more likely to attempt suicide

We’ve talked frequently about suicide, but thought it would be important, especially during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, to go more deeply into the risk factors that make someone more likely to attempt and complete suicide.

What are the highest risk factors for suicide?

“Anxiety Sensitivity… the fear of the feelings of being anxious… is even more so correlated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts than depression is.” – Curt Widhalm, LMFT

Defining acute, active suicidality (versus passive or chronic suicidality or non-suicidal self-Injury)
Going beyond the list of risk factors to how big of a risk each factor is for attempting or completing suicide
Exploring how impactful a previous attempt is on whether someone is likely to attempt of complete suicide
The importance of getting a complete history of suicidality and suicide attempts at intake
The impact of family members who have attempted or died by suicide
Alcohol and other substance use and abuse as an additive risk factor
Cooccurring mental disorders (eating disorders, psychosis and serious mental illness, depression, anxiety and anxiety sensitivity, personality disorders)
Child abuse history, especially folks with a history of sexual abuse history
Life transitions, especially unplanned and sudden life transitions
Owning a firearm makes you 50 times more likely to die by suicide
Racial differences in who is more likely to attempt or complete suicide
Living at a high elevation

What are additional risk factors for suicide specific to teens?

Early onset of mental illness
Environmental factors
Exposure to other suicides (social media, contagion)
Not being able to identify other options
Seeking control over their lives and lacking impulse control leading to suicide attempts
The importance of communication and the potential for a lack of communication
Bullying and lack of social support, without a way to escape due to social media and cell phones

What are protective factors when assessing for suicidality?

“Just because protective factors are present doesn't mean that they balance out risk factors [for suicide].”– Curt Widhalm, LMFT

Reasons for living, responsibility to others
Spirituality or attending a place of worship that teaches against suicide
Where you live based on cultural or societal factors
Having a children or child-rearing responsibilities, intact marriage
Strong social support, employment
Relationship with a therapist

Suicide Model: Integrated Motivational Volitional Model by O’Connor and Kirtley

How to Strengthen Micro-resilience with Bonnie St. John, former Olympian