Brittany Suicide: A Major Mental Health Problem Faced By Man

Brittanysuicide Is A Major Mental Health Problem Faced By Many

Post #2 Brittany Suicide is a major mental health problem faced by many people in the world. In the United States, it is the 10th leading cause of death, surpassing liver disease, diabetes, and HIV (O’Rourke, Jamil, & Saddiqui, 2020). A high percentage of adolescence have admitted to having some level of suicidal ideation at a point in their lives. This data has resulted in suicide screenings and prevention a more common occurrence in the United States. It is important for healthcare workers to be educated on these tools so that they are more alert to warning signs and can help prevent these individuals from taking their own lives.

For this case study, John is a 36-year-old man that has had his life downward spiral rapidly. This has led him to become suicidal. Suicide risk assessment remains a high-stakes component of the psychiatric evaluation and can lead to overly restrictive management in the name of prevention or to inadequate intervention because of a poor appreciation of the severity of risk (Ryan & Oquendo, 2020). Some of the risk factors for suicide that he has is financial difficulties, negative childhood life experiences, loss of his job, martial problems, a history of mental illness, being a male, and feeling a sense of no purpose in life (O’Rourke, Jamil, & Siddiqui, 2020). Although these risk factors are known by healthcare providers, if they are not thoroughly assessing and asking these questions to the patient or missing warnings signs such as frequent hospital visits due to violence, then they will miss their opportunity to aid the patient.

If John was properly assessed from homelessness and suicide risk, then the hospital could have helped him by providing a case manager for employment help, addiction programs, and mental health therapy. All patients should be screened for suicide risk on their first contact with an organization (EDC, 2020). They should especially be screened if red flags are noted such as frequent hospital visits due to violence and illness from poor living conditions. Many events in John’s life from his childhood to adulthood put him at a increased risk for suicide and not being able to cope with any major shifts or changes in his life. As a child both of his parents were alcoholic, and his father was abusive.

This began mental health issues in his childhood that he sought out care for, but never followed up. Mental health is an illness that never goes away for good, and it can be triggered by life experiences, so it is important to continuously get care. Some social causes of this downward spiral include his traumatic childhood experiences, his own issues with addiction to marijuana and alcohol, being laid off from his job, separation from his wife and children, being evicted, and getting into risky behaviors such as theft and violence due to his living conditions. Mental health risks for this downward spiral includes his family history of alcoholism and his own struggle with addiction, not getting mental health care or counseling after his childhood, feeling no purpose in life due to the loss of his job, and eventually developing depression and suicidal ideations.

Medical needs that attributed to this downward spiral includes no healthcare insurance, unaffordable prescription medications, frequent infections and injuries, and depression. Healthcare should have screened John as he came in with frequent injuries and infections but was never able to purchase his needed medications. After screening for homelessness and suicide, they could have provided him with resources to help get him back on his feet medically and mentally. There are many barriers that John has faced in accessing medical care and mental health services. One of the major barriers that he struggled with was a lack of healthcare insurance.

With a lack of healthcare insurance, he was unable to get any of his bills covered and he was not able to afford the prescription medications that he needed to treat his infections. For mental health barriers, he was not appropriately screened by his healthcare providers for his depression and suicide. Due to this, he was not given the proper tools or resources to treat these diseases.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Suicide remains a significant public health challenge worldwide, with profound implications for individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Among the most vulnerable populations are individuals with a history of mental health issues, socioeconomic difficulties, and substance abuse. This paper explores the multifaceted aspects of suicide risk, focusing on the case of John, a 36-year-old man exemplifying how social, psychological, and healthcare barriers contribute to suicidal behaviors, and emphasizing the importance of comprehensive risk assessment, early intervention, and accessible mental health services.

Global and National Context of Suicide

Suicide accounts for approximately 700,000 deaths annually worldwide, making it the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15-29 (World Health Organization, 2019). In the United States, it ranks as the tenth leading cause of mortality, claiming over 47,500 lives in 2019 alone (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). Factors such as mental illness, substance abuse, chronic pain, and major life stressors significantly elevate the risk. Adolescents and middle-aged adults show alarming rates, often linked to unaddressed mental health issues and social determinants like unemployment and relationship problems (O’Rourke et al., 2020). The necessity for effective screening and prevention programs is thus imperative at multiple levels—clinical, community, and policy—aimed at early detection and intervention.

Case Profile: John’s Psychological and Social Risk Factors

John’s case underscores the intersection of personal history and societal influences that heighten suicide risk. His childhood was marred by parental alcoholism and abuse, which are well-documented predictors of future mental health challenges and suicidal ideation (Kaplan et al., 2018). His subsequent struggles with substance addiction (marijuana and alcohol), unemployment, marital separation, and eviction contribute cumulatively to his despair. The absence of a support network and continuous mental health care further exacerbate his vulnerability. Research indicates that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) significantly correlate with long-term mental health disorders and increased suicide risk (Felitti et al., 2019). The familial history of alcoholism adds a genetic predisposition, emphasizing the importance of evaluating family psychiatric history during risk assessment.

Barriers to Healthcare and Mental Health Services

One of the critical barriers faced by John was the lack of health insurance, which hindered access to preventive and ongoing care. Insurance gaps are a significant obstacle, especially among the homeless and impoverished populations, leading to untreated medical and psychological issues (Parsell et al., 2018). John’s frequent injuries and infections went untreated due to unaffordability, potentially hiding underlying mental health crises. Additionally, his substance abuse disorder complicated diagnosis and management, often leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. Studies show that substance abuse coexists with suicidal behavior, influencing the severity and lethality of suicide attempts (Bramham et al., 2020). The limited availability of mental health facilities, stigma, and lack of transportation further compound these challenges.

Importance of Screening and Early Identification

Screening for suicide risk is a critical component in preventing deaths among high-risk individuals like John. The use of validated tools such as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) allows clinicians to identify warning signs and plan appropriate interventions (Devylder et al., 2019). In John's case, thorough screening during hospital visits could have uncovered his depression and suicidal ideation, leading to timely mental health referrals and community resource linkage. Implementing universal screening protocols in emergency departments and primary care settings is essential, especially for patients presenting with injuries, infections, or substance use history (Ryan & Oquendo, 2020).

Role of Healthcare Providers and Policy Implications

Healthcare providers serve as frontline defenders against suicide through routine screening, patient education, and connection to resources. APRNs, in particular, must be vigilant in assessing social determinants like housing insecurity, unemployment, and social isolation, which heavily influence mental health outcomes (Bramham et al., 2020). Policy efforts should focus on expanding mental health services, reducing insurance barriers, and integrating behavioral health into primary care. Community programs targeting homeless populations with tailored mental health support, housing, and employment assistance can mitigate the cyclic nature of homelessness and mental illness, ultimately reducing suicide rates.

Interventions and Recommendations

Comprehensive intervention strategies must address immediate risk and underlying causes. For John, this would involve a multi-disciplinary approach including mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, social services for housing and employment, and ongoing risk monitoring. Evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication management are effective in reducing suicidal thoughts (Hawton et al., 2019). Peer support groups and community outreach programs can foster social connectedness, which has been shown to be protective against suicide (Mann et al., 2018). Ensuring accessible mental health coverage and promoting public awareness campaigns are equally essential to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviors.

Conclusion

John’s case exemplifies how intersecting social and psychological factors contribute to suicide risk, especially among vulnerable populations facing barriers to healthcare. Systematic screening, early intervention, destigmatization, and expanding access to mental health resources are critical steps in suicide prevention. Healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities must collaborate to create supportive environments that address root causes and implement effective strategies to reduce suicide mortality and promote mental well-being.

References

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• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Suicide Prevention. CDC Reports.
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• Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D. F., Spitz, A. M., Edwards, V., & Marks, J. S. (2019). Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 56(6).
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• Parsell, C., Have, C. T., Denton, M., & Walter, Z. (2018). Self-management of health care: Multimethod study of using integrated health care and supportive housing to address systematic barriers for people experiencing homelessness. Australian Health Review, 42(3), 303.
• Ryan, E. P., & Oquendo, M. A. (2020). Suicide Risk Assessment and Prevention: Challenges and Opportunities. Psychiatry Online.
• World Health Organization. (2019). Suicide worldwide in 2019. WHO Reports.