Integration of a suicide risk assessment and intervention approach: the perspective of youth

The process of suicide risk assessment is often a challenge for mental health nurses, especially when working with an adolescent population. Adolescents who are struggling with particular problems, stressors and life events may exhibit challenging and self-harm behaviour as a means of communication or a way of coping. Current literature provides limited exploration of the effects of loss, separation and divorce, blended families, conflict and abuse on child and adolescent development and the increased vulnerability of at-risk youth. There is also limited research that provides clear and practical models for the assessment and management of youth suicidal ideation and behaviour. This paper will discuss the integration of a number of theories to establish a comprehensive assessment of risk. The research study described the perspective of youth and their families who had experienced this particular model; however, this paper will discuss only the youth perspective. In order for this model to be successful, it is important for mental health nurses to make a connection with the youth and begin to understand the self-harm behaviour in context of the adolescents' family, and their social and school experiences. It also requires recognition that adolescents with challenging and self-harm behaviour are hurting and troubled adolescents with hurtful and troublesome behaviour.