Introduction
Suicide is an interesting topic for discussion. It is an enormous global problem that needs to be addressed because it raises numerous moral and social issues.
The Dynamic of Suicide
It is paramount to understand that the phases of suicidal behavior. The feeling of hopelessness is viewed as a primary starting point, and it often followed with a necessity to look for a possible solution to current problems. Suicide is regarded as an ultimate goal by some individuals, and a certain stimulus such as physical or mental pain is most likely present. Emotional condition and cognitive state play a significant role because such act is not easy to commit. This happens because one of the primary goals of the human brain is to protect an individual from any possible dangers, and a particular mental barrier needs to be broken before the person commits suicide. The reasoning behind such behavior is still actively researched by the scientists. Some of the theories offer evidence-based explanations. The earliest model was suggested by Shneidman in 1985. It views stress, physical pain and minor change in the human mind as a group of factors that could lead to such behavior if combined. The Interpersonal Theory is of one of the most well-known ones. The necessity to be accepted by society and feeling of being a burden to others are considered to be the primary causes of suicidal tendencies. Johnson and his colleagues thought that there is a connection between issues with the processing of information and certain aspects of appraisal systems. One of the most recent theories was offered by O’Connor in 2011, and the scientist suggests that there are pre-motivational, motivational, and volitional aspects that predict such attitude. Overall, it can be seen that a broad range of factors that may influence such behavior such as cognitive, social, and others (O’Connor & Nock, 2014).
Suicide and the Moral Dilemma
Moral aspects of such acts are discussed quite often. Some think that it should be a personal decision, and every individual should have the right to take his or her own life. However, it can be seen from the history that such attitude was not acceptable even in the ancient times. It must be understood that there are both internal and external factors that lead to suicide (Ogar & Agba, 2011). Furthermore, the primary goal of modern society is to create an environment where the number of such incidents will be dramatically increased. This topic is not easy to address from the moral point of view because the number of suicides is steadily increasing, and it is mostly caused by social factors. Also, there is an option that some individuals that suffer from an incredibly painful condition may be allowed to commit suicide. However, the general consensus is that it should not be acceptable. It is also imperative to make sure that the information about the patient stays confidential.
Characteristics
It may not be easy to detect suicidal behavior, but some aspects should be noted. Most individual who are susceptible to suicide are often sorrowful and prefer to be by themselves. Threats also should not be disregarded, and should be reported if possible. A change in personality is a worrying factor that should not be disregarded because it is likely that an individual intends to inflict self-harm. One of the recent studies has shown that the patients that have a history of self-inflicted injuries show suicidal tendencies much more often than others (Nordentoft, Mortensen, & Pedersen, 2012). The increased risks associated with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia should also be taken into account. Mentally ill patients require particular attention, and they should not be treated the same way as others.
Similarities between Suicide and Homicide
The biggest similarity is that the people who are likely to commit murder often have suicidal thoughts, and it reflects on their overall behavior patterns. It is especially worrying if one act of violence is followed by the other. It has to be said that some patient that have an increased risk of lethality would not even think about harming others, but there are numerous accidents where people that commit suicide injure others unintentionally. It needs to be said that the reasoning behind such actions is often quite similar because both suicide and homicide are viewed as ways to solve an individual problem.
Triage Assessment Form
Triage Assessment should be conducted if there is any suspicion of suicidal behavior. It helps to determine the patient’s estimated level of lethality, and the treatment should be based on the available data (James & Gilliland, 2012). It is also imperative to consider the fact that the answers may vary if the individual’s mood changes. Also, a necessity to report the case may occur depending on the results and overall attitude of a person. Questionnaires may also be used to determine suicide tendencies. The results should be analyzed, and treatment options should be chosen individually. Health care providers should always evaluate the risks associated with suicidal behavior.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this is an incredibly serious topic that needs to be studied and discussed much more because it is one of the leading causes of mortality in the modern society. Individuals with increased risk of suicide must be provided counseling and group therapies. The central goal of such activities is to determine the core of the problem and to prevent such thoughts and behavior.
References
James, R., & Gilliland, B. (2012). Crisis intervention strategies (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Nordentoft, M., Mortensen, P. B., & Pedersen, C. B. (2012). Suicide. Current Medical Literature, 23(1), 25-26.
O’Connor, R. C., & Nock, M. K. (2014). The psychology of suicidal behaviour. Lancet Psychiatry, 1(1), 73-85.
Ogar, J. N., & Agba, A. M. (2011). Suicide: it’s moral, legal and sociological analyses. Researchers World, 2(1), 94-102.