Suicide Risk Assessment
13 Reasons Why has been the most talked about series on Netflix since the birth of Netflix. With it's massive popularity, it has quickly picked up a second season that chronicles life after Hannah Baker's suicide. Since it's premiere, there has been a surge of positive reviews and some destigmatization around suicide and self-harm. Though it's still taboo, I think we, as a society, are becoming more aware of the impact of our actions towards others and how we make people feel with our words and inactions.
The scary thing about 13 Reasons Why is that Hannah Baker floated through high school not showing others an inkling of the pain that she was dealing with. Even Clay, the guy who was closest to her, didn't know that Hannah was suffering as much as she did. Maybe if Clay knew what to look for, he could have been the lifeline that could have kept Hannah alive.
Suicide ideation is not obvious. However, it does become clear if you know what to look for. Here are some risk assessment factors that you can use in your interactions with others to see if they are thinking about hurting themselves:
1. Look for risk factors.
Risk factors are conditions in which the likelihood of committing suicide is high. Risk factors include:
Social Isolation
Financial difficulties that seem impossible to get over
Recent divorce, separation or break-up
Prior abuse; physical, sexual, psychological
Chronic illness or pain
Previous suicide attempts
Exposure to suicide
2. Look for accelerating factors.
Even if risk factors exist, it doesn't mean that the individual will commit suicide. However, if these signs appear, the likelihood of doing so increases:
Excessive substance use
Dramatic changes in mood
Anger or rage
Evidence of the individual seeking means: pain killers, guns, weapons
Too much or too little sleep
Hopelessness
Helplessness
Tying up lose ends such as creating a will, saying goodbye to loved ones
3. Lack of Protective Factors
Protective factors are conditions where the individual has a reason to hold on to life. If the number of protective factors are low, they are more likely to commit suicide.
Supportive family and friends
Employment
Children
Pets
Problem-solving skills
Access to professional help
Goals
Cultural, spiritual and religious beliefs
Presence of coping skills
Remember that it is OK to ask someone if they are thinking about harming themselves. It will not put this idea in their head. It will, however, help you gauge the level of risk. If they are thinking about it, they are likely to confess this because they view this as an opportunity for help. If they are not, they will straight out tell you that they are not. It might even sound absurd to them.
Think about the characters on 13 Reasons Why and apply the above risk assessment. Who would you say is most likely to hurt themselves given their circumstances? What about Alex? How could you retroactively apply this risk assessment?
If you are thinking about committing suicide or in a great deal of pain, contact your local Distress Centre at 416-408- HELP (4357)