Social Workers!!?

Question

First, don't you guys think that social work should have it's own category on Yahoo Answers?!!

As a social worker, what would you do to help teenagers who is thinking about committing suicide? This is just a question, not for real? What resources and services would you recommend for them?

Answer 1

There are hotlines that teens can call 1-800-448-3000.

Answer 2

I have advocated for a social work category and encourage you to do so as well.  I think if more of us would write in, it would  help.

For me a lethality contract is the most important piece of my work with suicide ideation.  I had one in place with a young woman who called me after she had taken pills and we were able to get her to the hospital.  The contract helped her to take action even after taking the overdose.  Of course ideally she would have contacted me before taking pills and as her lethality went up (and my work with her was ongoing - but adol and suicidal adol are not often thinking illogically rationally).  However the contract allows for us to talk and outlined how she would contact me.

DA

Answer 3

Early intervention is necessary, whether that includes meds and counseling, or hospitalization. The ususal course is med treatment in order to stabilize the client.

So an evalutation by a Psychologist or Psychiatrist is necessary, and meds or hospitalization is the follow up.