Martin is a 38-year-old Mexican-American man who is a sergeant in the United States Army. He recently returned from Iraq with a purple heart for leg wounds sustained during an enemy attack. Some of his patrol were killed. He is despondent over the prognosis that his injuries will prevent him from continuing with combat duties. Rehabilitation to regain normal use of his leg will take many months. He feels survivor’s guilt and grief at the loss of his best friend during the enemy attack. His wife of 18 years and teenage son and daughter are relieved to have him alive and home, but are confused as to how to help him. He repeatedly states that he “shouldn’t be here. Isaac was a much better soldier than me. I don’t deserve to live.” No matter what they do, he continues to be depressed and have flashbacks. Questions: 1. Would you complete a suicide assessment with Martin? Why? Why not? What are the risk and protective factors that might have a bearing on this assessment. What safety measures might be needed? 2. Would you perform a trauma screening? Why or why not? What are some possible symptoms that might emerge as indicators of trauma arousal? 3. What relationship assessments might provide insight into the quality of his family relationships? 4. What family therapy interventions would you suggest for this case? How would you integrate these with trauma and grief issues? The case assignment should be 5 - 8 pages double spaced, with headings for each of these questions and a reference list.
Answer to 1st question:
Yes, a suicide assessment should be conducted for Martin. As can be inferred from the symptoms, Martin exhibits signs of depression (feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and a lack of meaning and purpose in life, constant low mood and gloomy state), Post traumatic stress disorder (the grief of loosing his friend and he himself getting severely injured in the combat, to such an extent that he might not be able to join the army unless he is completely cured, he encounters flashbacks) and further he also shows suicidal ideation ( I shouldn't be here, he was better and I don't deserve to live).
A suicide assessment becomes necessary in order to create appropriate tailor made solutions to prevent the chances of attempts to suicide by Martin, to increase the safety and reduce the risk, to promote wellness and to ultimately aid recovery of Martin.
Reference:
SPRC (suicide prevention resource centre), Understanding Risk and Protective factors for suicide: A primer for preventing suicide (PDF)
https://www.sprc.org/sites/default/files/migrate/library/RiskProtectiveFactorsPrimer.pdf&ved
Gregory, C. (n.d.). Understanding the risk factors, prevention,and what we can do to help. Suicide and suicide prevention, PSYCOM.
https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.suicide.html
Batya, Y.S. (2016). Is this patient suicidal? Tips for effective assessment. psychiatry advisor.
https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/topics/suicide-self-harm/is-this-patient-suicidal-tips-for-effective-assessment/
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