HOME & COMMUNITY Policy No.: PM-2-230
SUPPORT SERVICES
-©-OF GREY-BRUCE-©- Revised: July 2015
Page: 4 of 4
SECTION: PROGRAM MANUAL
TOPIC: GENERIC PROGRAM POLICIES
POLICY TITLE: SUICIDE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION POLICY
POLICY STATEMENT
Home and Community Support Services of Grey Bruce (HCSS-GB) recognizes that suicide is a complex issue and that, while HCSS_GB may recognize a potential suicidal individual, it cannot make a clinical assessment of risk and provide in-depth counselling. Instead, the organization will direct staff to refer individuals who may be at risk of attempting suicide to an appropriate service for assessment and counselling.
HCSS recognizes the need for suicide prevention strategies and will establish ways to identify risk factors for suicide, procedures to intervene with individuals, referral services and staff training to provide assistance in these programs.
Any employee who may have knowledge of a suicide threat must take the proper steps to report this information to their supervisor, who will notify the area crisis team, the family, the Programs Director and other appropriate resources.
Risk Factors and Protective Factors
Certain factors or conditions are known to be associated with an elevated degree of risk for suicidal behaviour – not in crisis and requiring immediate attention, but in need of supports and ongoing monitoring. Such individuals are more likely than others in general to engage in various risky behaviours, including drug and alcohol use, and criminal activity. Just as it is important to identify individuals who are at risk, knowledge of protective factors or conditions is essential to suicide prevention. The impact of risk factors is countered, to some degree, by the presence of protective factors.
Risk Factors
Biopsychosocial
Ø Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and certain personality disorders (e.g., borderline, antisocial)
Ø Alcohol and drug use
Ø Feelings of hopelessness
Ø Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
Ø History of trauma or abuse
Ø Some major physical illnesses
Ø Previous suicide attempt
Ø Family history of suicide
Environmental
Ø Relational for social loss
Ø Easy access to lethal means (e.g., guns)
Sociocultural
Ø Sense of isolation (especially for females) and lack of social support
Ø Stigma associated with help-seeking behaviour
Ø Barriers to accessing mental health care and substance abuse treatment
Ø Certain cultural and religious beliefs (e.g., that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma)
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Ø Effective clinical services for mental, physical and substance use disorders
Ø Easy access to various clinical intervention and support for help-seeking
Ø Restricted access to highly lethal means of suicide
Ø Strong connections to family and community
Ø Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent handling of disputes
Ø Resiliency, self esteem, optimism, and empathy
Ø Cultural and religious believe that discourage suicide and support of self-preservation
SUICIDE CRISIS INDICATORS
A suicide crisis is a time-limited occurrence in which an individual is in immediate danger of suicide. Indicators of suicide crisis, sometimes referred to as warning signs, help identify individuals in immediate need of attention.
Ø Suicidal statements or suicide notes
Ø Ominous utterances (speaking of going away, or of others being better off without them)
Ø Marked changes in behaviour (e.g., trouble sleeping or eating, loss of interest in usual activities, neglect of self-care)
Ø Intense affective state in combination with depression
Ø Preoccupation with death, afterlife and violence in the context of sad or negative feelings
Ø Precipitating event (e.g., marked reaction to loss of a loved one)
Ø Statements of hopelessness
Ø Deteriorating functioning in school, at work or socially
Ø Telltale actions (e.g., buying a gun, putting one’s affairs in order)
Ø Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Ø Other self-destructive behaviour (e.g., loss of control, rage explosions)
Ø Recent incarceration
RESOURCES
CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
Mental Health Crisis Line 1-877-470-5200
OWEN SOUND OFFICE – UNION PLACE (519) 371-3642
MARKDALE SITE – COACH HOUSE (519) 986-7491
KINCARDINE SITE – DORY (519) 396-5609
HANOVER SITE – LOFT (519) 364-0184
MENTAL HEALTH COURT SUPPORT SERVICES-GREY COUNTY (519) 371-3642 Ext 179
MENTAL HEALTH COURT SUPPORT SERVICES-BRUCE COUNTY (519) 507-6500
SOUTHAMPTON MENTAL HEALTH TEAM (519) 797-2880
KINCARDINE MENTAL HEALTH TEAM (519) 396-4523
BRUCE SHORELINE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH TEAM 1-877-888-5855
HOPE GREY BRUCE
Owen Sound Office Contact Info
1101 2nd Avenue East, Suite 205
Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 2J1
Phone: (519) 371-4802
Fax: (519) 371-6138
South Grey Team Contact Info
Lennox Court Building
27 Main Street West
Markdale, Ontario N0C 1H0
Phone: (519) 986-3030
Fax: (519) 986-2416
Central Grey Bruce Contact Info
425 10th Street, Unit 8
Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P8
Phone: (519) 364-7788
Fax: (519) 364-5052
GREY BRUCE HEALTH SERVICES
North Grey Team (519-376-2121 ext. 2460)
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