Recommendations for Self-Monitoring After the Suicide of a Patient

 

• Immediately seek survivor-sensitive peer support and/or consultation

 

• Be knowledgeable about survivor symptoms that are role-specific to care givers

 

• Monitor personal activities of daily living as well as any increased hypervigilance, cognitive confusion or dissociation

 

• Be aware of any change in the incidence of hospitalization and/or referral of patients who present with issues or problems similar to those of the deceased patient (this could be projection)

 

• Be aware of any increased use of gallows humor, paranoia or inappropriate affect and content

 

• Avoid distancing, withdrawal or isolation from supports

 

• Note any increased use of maladaptive behaviors (drinking, eating, drug use)

 

[Adapted from Table 23-2 from Chapter 23: Aftermath of Suicide: The Clinician’s Role in Simon, RI and Hales, RE. Textbook of Suicide Assessment

and Management. 2006. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. Washington, DC.]