Читать книгу Suicide Assessment and Treatment Planning - John Sommers-Flanagan - Страница 43

Competency begins with self-awareness. Nearly every source on suicide prevention and intervention emphasizes self-reflection designed to answer the question “Can I work effectively and ethically with clients who are suicidal?” (J. Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2017). Granello (2010b) recommended that professionals manage and balance their emotional reactions:

Counselors may overreact to any mention of suicide and impose overly restrictive controls. The opposite risk, which can be much more serious, occurs when counselors deny the level of threat and underreact by not imposing sufficient controls. Either situation, when arising from the emotional reactions of the counselor rather than the needs of the client, is dangerous. (p. 222)

Everyone has preexisting attitudes toward suicide. Some individuals hold the belief that suicide is sinful; others believe in the individual’s right to die by suicide. As a mental health or school professional, it is important for you to be aware of your preexisting attitudes and to be prepared for ways in which suicidality in clients might affect you. This includes being aware of your religious beliefs, your personal history with suicide, and any ways that you are inclined to instantly judge people who mention the word suicide.