02/02/2026
This is why i went back... this is why I am learning the things I am, no matter how hard it is.
From my school lesson this week:
"Su***de Prevention
In the United States, as of 2019, su***de was the 10th leading cause of death. Su***de is when an individual harms themselves with the intent of ending their life. A su***de attempt is when an individual harms themselves with the intent to die, but the attempt does not result in death.
Nurses assess clients at a variety of stages of life and development. When asking about su***de, the nurse needs to directly ask the client in a one-on-one setting. The nurse has the responsibility to be clear in asking about su***de versus self-harm, as clients may view these as different topics. The nurse’s role here is to look for warning signs. Potential warning signs could be the client talking about wanting to die, withdrawing from their family or friends, giving away possessions, discussing death frequently with others, or reporting feelings of pain, emotionally or physically.
Su***de prevention can also be addressed in milieu therapy. This can encompass one-on-one observing or supervising, documenting the client’s location every 15 min, searching the client’s belongings for potential self-harm objects, and ensuring the client is taking their prescribed medication Additional information related to su***de prevention will be included in-depth in Mood Disorders and Su***de.
The different forms of therapy discussed early in this lesson can be implemented in addressing ACEs and the child’s resilience to the event. Resilience to ACEs can mean the client has positively adapted to the adversity. This can be viewed as being able to bounce back from difficult life effects, with traits such as determination, positivity, and hope. Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) can include things like being able to talk about feelings, having someone stand by them during a hard time, having a sense of belonging, etc. Those who have more PCEs have been shown to have better mental health than those who had fewer PCEs. Nurses can assist in the process by developing the nurse-client therapeutic relationship with the child. This can be done by showing a caring attitude and supportiveness to the child by ensuring they feel safe."
More current statistics:
Total Annual Deaths: In 2023, over 49,000 Americans died by su***de, and globally the number is over 740,000.
Gender Split: Men account for nearly 80% of su***de deaths in the U.S..
Age Demographic: While su***de is the second leading cause of death for those aged 10-24 and 25-34, the highest su***de rates are actually found in older adults (85+)
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You can call or text 988 in the U.S. and Canada, or visit a local crisis center.
Send a message to learn more
